Farm groups push for specialty crop relief in 2026

Farm advocacy groups are ramping up efforts in 2026 to secure additional economic relief for specialty crop growers, including organic producers facing higher production costs and tighter margins. Specialty crop growers were largely excluded from a $12 billion grower aid package announced in December, prompting renewed calls for relief tied to legislation that would keep the federal government funded beyond Jan. 30. That deadline was set during negotiations that reopened the government last November. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles told Spudman managing editor Melinda Waldrop that ensuring specialty crop relief is included in any funding measure is now the top priority for grower groups. “This is a very urgent matter,” Quarles said in a Jan. 12 interview. “It is highly likely that whatever bill resolves that Jan. 30 issue is going to carry this economic relief plan, so if you’re not on that train, you’re in a tough position.” While Quarles represents conventional potato growers, the funding gap has also affected organic specialty crop producers, who often face higher input costs and fewer risk management options. “This is happening right now,” Quarles said. “It is the top, most urgent issue that we’re dealing with. It’s very likely that specialty crops alone are going to need about $5 billion in order to deal with their segment of this economic crisis we’re in.”

MASC seen as viable path forward

Quarles said a model for delivering relief already exists through USDA’s Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Last summer, USDA issued a second round of MASC payments totaling $1.3 billion, bringing total assistance under the program to $2.65 billion to help offset rising input costs and support domestic market development. “We know what mechanism works to get relief to growers, and it’s that one — the MASC program,” Quarles said. “There’s a lot of rallying around a larger round of MASC, given the economic challenges that everyone is facing.” Organic growers, who often rely on specialty crop programs rather than traditional commodity safety nets, have pointed to MASC as one of the few federal tools that recognizes their cost structures. Quarles also serves as co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a coalition of more than 150 organizations representing fruit, vegetable, dried fruit, tree nut and nursery crop growers. According to the alliance, specialty crops generate $64.7 billion in farm gate value and account for 30% of U.S. crop cash receipts. The political environment may support additional relief, Quarles said. “Congress is very receptive to working with us on that,” he said. “We have very strong leaders in both the House and Senate agricultural committees as well as appropriations committees. They’re all going to have to collaborate to get that to the finish line.”