Congress would set aside $5 billion for specialty crop farmers

The Agriculture Department would receive $5 billion to fund payments to specialty crop farmers. Farmers’ crops would need to meet the federal definition of specialty crops. Payments would use the department’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program or a substantially similar later program under its federal farm financing authority. Payments would follow the January 8, 2025 Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops notice. The money would be for fiscal year 2027 and remain available until spent.