FSA accepting Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program applications

The Farm Service Agency is currently accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. 

The MASC program provides financial assistance to specialty crop producers to help them expand domestic markets or develop new markets for their crops. 

MASC helps specialty crop producers offset higher marketing costs related to:

  • Tenderness and perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursey crops and herbs;
  • Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control;
  • Packaging to prevent damage; 
  • Moving perishables to market quickly; and
  • Higher labor costs. 
Who Is Eligible?

MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops grown in the US:

  • 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; and
  • Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass, and grass seed.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2025. Payments are based on the amount of specialty crop sales of each applicant. 

More information can be found on the factsheet or the FSA website.