USDA Finalizes $1.625 Billion Specialty & Sugar Crop Aid Program
Bridge payment program expands beyond the previously expected $1 billion level, establishes tiered per-acre rates, and broadens support for fruit, vegetable, nut, and specialty crop producers facing high input costs and trade disruptions
USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation on Friday released the long-awaited final rule (link) for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program, confirming the agency will provide approximately $1.625 billion in one-time bridge payments to specialty crop producers — substantially above the roughly $1 billion level widely expected earlier this spring.
The final rule, scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on June 1, says the program is designed to offset elevated production expenses, weak prices, inflationary pressures, tight credit conditions, and export disruptions tied to unfair foreign trade practices.
The larger-than-expected funding level suggests USDA broadened either its estimate of eligible acreage, the range of qualifying crops, or the severity of financial pressures facing the sector during the rulemaking process. The final rule repeatedly emphasizes rising labor costs, fertilizer expenses, fuel prices, and persistent market uncertainty entering the 2026 crop year.
The rule establishes four payment categories based on estimated crop revenue per acre. Tier 1 crops will receive $650 per acre, Tier 2 crops $225 per acre, Tier 3 crops $65 per acre, and eligible beans and peas $25 per acre.
Among the highest payment-rate crops are fresh grapes, strawberries, lettuce, onions, mushrooms, garlic, fresh peaches, lemons, limes, and blueberries classified under the highbush category.
Processed grapes, almonds, apples, potatoes, tomatoes, walnuts, oranges, cucumbers, squash, and pistachios fall into the Tier 2 category.
Pecans and sweet corn are among the crops in the lower Tier 3 payment category.
The final rule also reveals USDA made several policy choices that significantly expanded eligibility compared to earlier assumptions. Notably, both bearing and non-bearing fruit and nut acreage qualify for payments, with USDA arguing that producers continue to incur major irrigation, nutrient, labor, pruning, and pest-control costs even before orchards or vines generate commercial production.
Meanwhile, the agency will allow payments on double-cropped, repeat-planted, and subsequent crop acreage if those crops otherwise qualify under the program rules.
USDA excluded most controlled-environment production such as greenhouses, hoop houses, vertical farms, and hydroponic systems, arguing those operations benefit from longer growing seasons and lower production risk. Mushrooms are exempt from that restriction because USDA determined controlled environments are essential for mushroom production.
The agency also left open the possibility of adding additional eligible crops after publication of the final rule if USDA determines producers experienced similar market disruptions or declining returns.
Applications through USDA’s online portal begin June 1, while all other applications open June 8. Producers must submit Form CCC-556 by Aug. 7, 2026. USDA said payments are expected to begin flowing in June 2026 as applications are approved.
The program carries a $250,000 payment limitation per person or legal entity and excludes participants with adjusted gross income above $900,000.
USDA estimates roughly 60,000 producers could participate in the program nationwide. The document also strongly links the program to the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, arguing specialty crop producers are central to maintaining domestic supplies of fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts.
