USDA launches $2 billion in aid for floriculture growers

The USDA has launched the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, allocating $2 billion in direct payments to specialty crop growers, including floriculture businesses, according to the Society of American Florists.

Eligible growers can receive up to $125,000 per applicant to help offset rising input costs and expand market opportunities.

The USDA is accepting applications for the program now through January 8, 2025.

This marks only the second time in history that the USDA has provided direct financial assistance to the floral industry, after the Society of American Florists successfully advocated for the inclusion of floriculture growers in the CFAP2 pandemic aid program in 2020.

“We’re thrilled that floriculture growers are once again recognized as essential contributors to the agricultural economy,” said SAF CEO Kate Penn. “This program offers much-needed support to offset rising costs and strengthen the industry’s future.”

About the MASC program

MASC supports specialty crop producers facing increased marketing costs due to factors such as:

• Perishability of crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture and nursery plants.
• Specialized handling and transportation with temperature and humidity controls.
• Protective packaging to prevent damage during shipping.
• Moving perishables to market quickly.
• Higher labor costs. 

Eligibility criteria

Producers must be in business at the time of application, maintain an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025.

• MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops: 
• Fruits (fresh, dried)
• Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms and vegetable seed)
• Tree nuts
• Nursery crops, Christmas trees and floriculture
• Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices
• Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed

How to apply

Eligible producers should complete the following application steps by Jan. 8, 2025:

Submit application forms:

• FSA-1140 for established producers
• FSA-1141 for new producers; along with proof of 2025 expected sales, and certain documentation to support reported sales i.e., receipts, contracts, acreage reports, input receipts, etc.

MASC applicants, established and new, must also submit the following information to FSA if not already on file at the time of application: 

• Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet
• Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity
• Form CCC-941, Average 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 producer and members of entities
• A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates
• Other documentation if requested by FSA to support reported specialty crop sales

Those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms or producers who may be new to conducting business with FSA can contact their local FSA county office.

For MASC program participation, eligible specialty crop sales only include sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the producer. The portion of sales derived from adding value to a specialty crop (such as sorting, processing or packaging) is not included when determining eligible sales.

Further explanation of what is considered by FSA for specialty crop sales as well as an online MASC decision tool and applicable program forms are available on the MASC program webpage.

Payment details

Payments for established growers will be based on 2025 specialty crop sales, while payments for new producers will be determined by expected sales.

Payments will be issued after the application period ends. If demand exceeds available funds, payments may be prorated or reduced.  Payment calculation details and examples are available on the MASC website, or related questions can be directed to local FSA county office staff.