Over $2 billion pledged for specialty crops and storage aid
The USDA has unveiled over $2 billion in funding to help farmers recover from 2024’s natural disasters. This support focuses on specialty crops and crop storage needs.
The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program allocates $2 billion to support fruit, vegetable, and nut producers facing high costs and market barriers. Applications open in December 2024.
The Commodity Storage Assistance Program provides $140 million for farmers to access necessary storage facilities. This program helps mitigate disaster-related challenges like those caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “Specialty crop producers play a critical role in U.S. agriculture,” emphasizing the importance of these programs for recovery.
Additional USDA initiatives include the Emergency Relief Program and over $6 billion in crop insurance indemnities in 2024, aiding farmers nationwide.
These efforts highlight USDA’s commitment to supporting local food systems, expanding market opportunities, and ensuring recovery from disasters. Farmers can find resources at farmers.gov/hurricane.