How to Support Specialty Crop Growers in New Farm Aid Package
In a recently distributed message from the AmericanHort Advocacy & Government Affairs Team, the ag industry association is seeking assistance from its members and beyond to ensure specialty crop growers receive fair and equitable access to federal economic relief programs available to U.S. agriculture.
Here is the message in its entirety, along with a call to action:
The White House has requested $12 billion in additional aid to farmers and we are requesting that Congress provide at least $5 billion to specialty crop growers. AmericanHort members play a critical role in helping lawmakers understand why specialty crops – including ornamental horticulture – must be fully and meaningfully included in any new economic assistance package. Your outreach could make a difference as these discussions move forward. Republicans on the House and Senate agriculture committees are working on a $12 billion farm aid package that would include at least $5 billion for specialty crops.
Specialty crops are grown in 95% of U.S. farming counties and contribute more than $75 billion in annual cash receipts, accounting for over one-third of all U.S. crop sales. Yet growers continue to face unprecedented pressures, including rising labor and input costs, lost markets, natural disasters, and growing competition from imports.
Between 2020 and 2025 alone, specialty crop growers experienced sharp increases in pesticide, fuel, fertilizer, and labor costs – often without commensurate increases in crop prices. These sustained pressures have left many horticulture businesses operating on thin or negative margins.
Past USDA relief efforts, including the second Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) and the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC), demonstrated that well-designed programs can successfully reach specialty crop growers when payments are structured around individual crop receipts and program requirements reflect real-world business models. AmericanHort is urging Congress to ensure USDA builds on existing programs as it considers additional economic aid.
Please take a moment today to contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support a robust, equitable economic aid program that delivers at least $5 billion in relief for producers of horticulture specialty crops.
CLICK HERE to contact your elected officials.