Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
MASC will provide eligible specialty crop producers with marketing assistance payments that will help them engage in activities that aid in expanding domestic specialty crop markets or in developing new markets for their specialty crops.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Nonprofit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- Small Business Person
- Land/Property Owner
To be eligible for MASC, a producer must be in the business of farming at the time of application and be entitled to an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025. In addition, a producer must be one of the following: a citizen of the United States; a resident alien, which means “lawful alien” as defined in 7 CFR 1400.3; a partnership organized under State law; a corporation, limited liability company, or other organizational structure organized under State law; an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, as defined in section 4(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); or a foreign person or foreign entity who meets all requirements as described in 7 CFR part 1400. Federal, State, and local governments, including public schools, are not eligible for MASC payments.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
The assistance will be approved and awarded by FSA to eligible producers. MASC payments will be issued after the end of the application period.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance
Description
Eligible specialty crops include the following: fruits (including dried fruits), vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed), tree nuts, nursery crops, Christmas trees, floriculture, culinary and medicinal herbs and spices, honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass, and grass seed.
Mission Categories
Primary: Production and Operation
Other categories:
Marketing Opportunities
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Assistance is intended to support specialty crop producers.
Required Documentation
Specialty crop producers must submit documentation to support the information provided on their applications if requested by FSA. If FSA requests supporting documentation, the applicant must submit it no later than 15 days from the date of the request. If the requested documentation is not submitted within the 15 days, the application will not be processed by FSA. New producers must also submit the MASC New Producer Expected Sales Worksheet and supporting documentation. New producers include producers who began producing specialty crops in 2023 or 2024 but did not have sales due to the immaturity of the crop, began producing specialty crops in 2024 but did not have a complete year of sales, or are beginning to grow specialty crops in 2025.