USDA Announces Specialty Crop Payment Rates, Enrollment Timeline for 2026 Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced payment rates and enrollment dates for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program, which will provide $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers affected by rising input costs and market disruptions during the 2025 growing season.

According to USDA, the program is intended to support specialty crop farmers facing financial pressure tied to elevated production costs and foreign trade practices that affected export opportunities.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said the program is designed to deliver assistance quickly through a streamlined application process.

“The Trump administration continues to put Farmers First and is committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as we continue opening new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce,” said Secretary Rollins. “Building on the success of the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, we are using an expedited program application and payment process through the One Farmer, One File system to ensure specialty crop producers also receive the necessary financial assistance as quickly as possible, while we work to build a more robust market with lower input costs and more opportunities."

Enrollment Dates

USDA said producers with a Login.gov account and a timely filed 2025 crop acreage report for eligible specialty crops can access and submit pre-filled applications beginning June 1, 2026.

Farmers who prefer to enroll in person or do not have a Login.gov account can request a pre-filled application through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office beginning June 8, 2026.

The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026.

USDA said payments will begin being issued as early as the first week of signup, once applications are approved.

Who Is Eligible?

USDA said eligible specialty crop acreage reported to FSA by April 24, 2026, may qualify for payments if reported as:

• Initial crop
• Double crop
• Repeat crop
• Subsequent crop

The agency said acreage reported as the following will not qualify:

• Cover crop
• Prevented planted
• Grazing use
• Green manure
• Silage or forage
• Volunteer or experimental crops

USDA also noted that specialty crops grown in controlled environments are not eligible, with the exception of mushrooms.

Payment Rates by Crop Category

USDA said payment rates will be based on average annual crop revenue and fall into four categories:

Tier 1 — $650 per acre
For eligible specialty crops averaging more than $10,000 per acre in annual revenue.

Tier 2 — $225 per acre
For eligible specialty crops averaging more than $2,300 per acre and up to $10,000 per acre.

Tier 3 — $65 per acre
For eligible specialty crops averaging up to $2,300 per acre.

Beans and Peas — $25 per acre
Includes all bean and pea types that were not eligible under the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program.

USDA said the payment limitation for ASCF is $250,000.

Applying Online

Producers using the online system can access pre-filled applications through Login.gov, which USDA said allows farmers to securely view, complete, certify and track their applications and payment status.

Farmers can create or access an account through USDA’s ASCF webpage.

Additional Risk Management

Although crop insurance participation is not required to receive ASCF payments, USDA encouraged producers to consider new risk management tools authorized through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, to help manage future price volatility and risk.

Farmers seeking additional information about eligibility, payment categories or enrollment can contact their local FSA county office or visit the USDA ASCF program webpage.