On Dec. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened a new $2 billion economic assistance program for specialty crop producers.

Known as Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops, or MASC, the program aims to help fruit and vegetable producers cover high costs stemming from higher labor costs and the costs associated with storage, marketing and packaging of perishable produce, according to a news release from the USDA Farm Service Agency. 

For more information and to apply, contact your local Farm Service Agency office or visit the website: bit.ly/usda-masc. Payments up to $125,000 will be based on a percentage of sales in 2023 or 2024. The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2025. 

—by Kate Prengaman