Harder Announces New USDA Program to Help San Joaquin Farmers Tackle Soaring Costs
Farmers can apply for the program starting now – the deadline to apply is January 8, 2025
WASHINGTON – Skyrocketing transportation costs, high storage prices, and severe weather events are putting San Joaquin County farmers’ livelihoods at risk. Today, Representative Josh Harder announced the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened a new $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (MASC) designed to help farmers reduce costs and stay competitive in a challenging market.
“The Valley is the fruit and nut basket of the world, but our farmers in San Joaquin County are being crushed by rising costs and shrinking profit margins,” said Rep. Harder. “This program is exactly the kind of support our farmers need to stay in business and keep feeding our families. This is a big deal, and I encourage all our farmers to apply.”
The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program helps specialty crop producers offset higher marketing costs through:
- Specialized handling and transport equipment.
- Protective packaging to prevent damage.
- Rapid delivery to market.
- Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and nursery plants.
- Higher labor expenses.
Who is Eligible?
- Producers actively engaged in producing specialty crops for sale in 2025.
- Eligible crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery plants, herbs, honey, and others.
- Producers must meet adjusted gross income requirements unless 75% of their income comes from farming.
How to Apply:
- Complete the FSA-1140 application.
- Submit applications to any USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office by January 8, 2025.
- Provide certification of specialty crop sales for 2023 or 2024 (or projected 2025 sales for new producers).
- Ensure necessary forms, such as AD-2047, CCC-902, CCC-941, FSA-942, and AD-1026, are on file.
Farmers already participating in FSA programs may have some forms on file; new applicants should contact their local FSA office to confirm documentation.
Farmers can contact their USDA Service Center to learn more about the program.
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