The U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) has declare the launch of the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops ( MASC ) program , allocate $ 2 billion in direct payment to specialty crop growers , including floriculture businesses . Eligible growers can receive up to $ 125,000 per applicant to aid offset rise stimulus costs and flesh out market chance .

The USDA is take applications for the syllabus now through January 8 , 2025 .

This marks only the second clip in history that the USDA has furnish direct fiscal assistance to the floral diligence , a milestone accomplish after the Society of American Florists successfully recommend for the inclusion of floriculture agriculturalist in the CFAP2 pandemic aid curriculum in 2020 .

" We ’re thrilled that floriculture grower are once again recognized as essential contributors to the agricultural thriftiness , " said SAF ’s CEO Kate Penn . " This program offers much - needed living to offset rising costs and strengthen the diligence ’s hereafter . "

About the MASC ProgramMASC support speciality crop producer front increased marketing costs due to gene such as perishableness of crops like fruit , vegetables , floriculture , and nursery industrial plant ; specialized handling and fare with temperature and humidity controls ; protective publicity to forestall damage during shipping ; move perishables to market quickly ; and mellow proletariat costs .

Eligibility criteriaProducers must be in business at the clip of app , maintain an ownership part and portion out in the risk of exposure of producing a specialty crop that will be sell in calendar class 2025 .

Commercially marketed specialty crop track by MASC let in fruit ( novel , dried ) ; vegetables ( let in dry comestible noodle and pea , mushrooms , and vegetable seed ) ; tree nuts ; glasshouse crops , Christmas trees , and floriculture ; culinary and medicinal herb and spices ; and honey , hop , maple sap , teatime , turfgrass , and grass seed .

How to ApplyEligible producers should fill out the abide by software program step by January 8 , 2025 : Submit software Forms ( FSA-1140 for conventional producer , and FSA-1141 for fresh manufacturer ; along with proof of 2025 expected sales , and certain support to support reported sales i.e. , receipts , declaration , acreage study , input receipts , etc . ) .

MASC applicants , established and young , must also state the following entropy to FSA if not already on Indian file at the time of app program : manikin AD-2047 , Customer Data Worksheet ; Form CCC-902 , Farm Operating Plan for an single or effectual entity ; Form CCC-941 , modal Adjusted Gross Income ( AGI ) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information ; Form FSA-942 , Certification of Income from Farming , Ranching and Forestry Operations , if applicable , for the manufacturer and member of entity ; a highly erodible land conservation ( sometimes referred to as HELC ) and wetland preservation certification ( Form AD-1026?Highly Erodible Land Conservation ( HELC ) and Wetland Conservation ( WC ) Certification ) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliate ; and Other Documentation if requested by FSA to back up reported specialization craw sales .

Those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms or producer who may be new to transmit business concern with FSA can contact theirlocal FSA county office .

For MASC program involution , eligible speciality crop sales only let in sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the manufacturer . The part of sales derive from add up value to a specialty crop ( such as sieve , processing , or publicity ) is not include when learn eligible sales . Further explanation of what is considered by FSA for specialty craw sales as well as an online MASC conclusion tool and applicable program strain , are usable on the MASC plan webpage .

Payment detailsPayments for institute agriculturist will be based on 2025 specialty crop sale , while payment for raw producers will be shape by expected sales . Payments will be put out after the app program point ends . If demand outdo available investment company , defrayal may be prorated or reduced . Payment computation details and example are available on the MASC web page or related to questions can be manoeuver to local FSA county office staff .

generator : USDA Farm Service Agency

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