Specialty crop growers could receive emergency aid based on past sales

Federal farm officials would set up direct aid using past sales multiplied by a payment factor they choose. Specialty crop growers must have production harmed by an event officials recognize. The factor would depend on available funds. Officials must consider higher crop values, growing costs, and growers’ business structures. Officials would choose sales from one calendar year or consecutive years before the year of the adverse event.

Federal farm officials would apply the adjusted cap set in existing farm-payment law. The usual cap excludes qualified pass-through entities, a business category defined in another law. A separate cap would apply when farming, ranching, or forestry provides at least 75% of average gross income. Officials would set that cap at $500,000 or more. Caps would apply to payments received directly or indirectly for each crop year.