Jan 21, 2026Specialty crop leaders call for $5 billion in dedicated aid
Specialty crop leaders this week renewed calls for economic support for U.S. growers after the U.S. House released final spending bills on Jan. 20 that did not include aid for America’s specialty crop producers.
“At a time when producers face rising costs, domestic labor shortages, and severe market and weather challenges, this omission is deeply concerning,” the co-chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) said in a news release.
“Specialty crops are vital to healthy diets and rural economies. Yet producers continue to lack the economic support they need to withstand ongoing disruptions and remain competitive.”
SCFBA called for no less than $5 billion in dedicated specialty crop aid.
“This support is critical to the continued sustainability of American agriculture and the communities specialty crop growers serve,” the organization said.
Negotiations to re-open the government last November set Jan. 30 as a funding deadline.
Specialty crops —including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery, greenhouse and floriculture products — generate more than $75 billion annually in U.S. agricultural cash receipts, account for more than one-third of all U.S. crop sales, and support rural economies nationwide.
The USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance program announced in December allocated $11 billion to row crops while only $1 billion is reserved for specialty crops and other commodities, with details on eligibility, payment formulas and timing still unresolved.
SCFBA is co-chaired by Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association; Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.
