USDA Launches New Programs to Support Specialty Crop Farmers

Author

Slice of Agriculture Team
November 20, 2024

Key Highlights:

  • $2 billion allocated for Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops to improve market access for fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

  • $140 million Commodity Storage Assistance Program helps farmers recover storage options lost to natural disasters.

  • Programs address recovery needs from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton with application openings in December 2024.

  • USDA's ongoing initiatives include $6 billion in crop insurance indemnities for the 2024 crop year.

  • Additional support through USDA’s Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP).

Notable Quote:

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“The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and Commodity Storage Assistance programs will be important for producers in every corner of the United States, but they come at an especially critical time for southeastern farmers, who will face a difficult and long recovery after this season’s devastating hurricanes.”

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Our Take:

This comprehensive investment by USDA underscores a pivotal shift in federal agricultural support, emphasizing resilience and recovery. The focus on specialty crops reflects an understanding of their unique challenges, from perishability to marketing costs, while the Commodity Storage Assistance Program fills a critical gap for disaster-affected producers. These programs, alongside the proposed congressional disaster aid package, mark a significant commitment to securing the future of U.S. agriculture amidst increasing climate-related challenges. Farmers in the Southeast, in particular, will benefit from the targeted response to hurricanes, paving the way for a stronger, more resilient farming community.