MASC and SDRP Programs Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. As challenges continue to mount for specialty crop growers, and farmers in general, more federal assistance is available for those who qualify.
Riley Bushue, Vice President at Northwest Horticultural
Council, says a second round of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops, or MASC payments are now being distributed …
BUSHUE … “The initial round of payments under this program go back to December. So, an initial round of roughly $900 million, across the United States, went out through that first round and then there was additional funding remaining. So, that anybody that applied up until January 10th is now getting a second payment.”
And Bushue says specialty crop producers have some unique challenges …
BUSHUE … “You know, that’s something, a message that we delivered from the Northwest Horticultural Council to USDA for quite a while, and continue to, that the single largest challenge in all of this is really that escalating labor costs.”
So, if you have questions or are expecting a MASC payment of some kind? …
BUSHUE … “To make sure that they get what is coming in their direction, the best place to go is to check in with their local, country Farm Service Agency office. They’re the people that know all the ins and outs of all these things if you signed up in January and are expecting something and haven’t seen it, talk to them. They’ll be able to help you out directly.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on assistance you may be eligible for from other current programs.
