The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has re-opened the reporting period for growers who want to apply for Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers, a $1 billion aid program announced in February to support growers facing market disruptions and elevated input costs. 

The initial deadline for submitting acreage reports was March 13 but growers now have until April 24 to work with their local FSA office to verify their eligible acreage. Apples, pears, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and blueberries are all eligible.  

According to the announcement of the USDA website, it will release commodity-specific payment rates after the acreage reporting deadline and open the program for applications. •