Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-10930
USDA ASCF Program: One-Time Payments for Specialty Crop Producers
Buyer
Commodity Credit Corporation
Posted
June 01, 2026
Identifier
2026-10930
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is launching the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program to provide financial relief to specialty crop producers impacted by increased input costs and market disruptions. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) - Farm Service Agency (FSA) - OEMs and Vendors: - Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) - Farm Service Agency (FSA) - Products/Services Requested: - One-time bridge payments to eligible specialty crop producers - Payment rates tiered by crop type and revenue per acre: - Tier 1: $650/acre (high-revenue crops) - Tier 2: $225/acre - Tier 3: $65/acre - Beans and Peas: $25/acre - Eligible crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, cotton, feed grains, oilseeds, peanuts, rice, and wheat - Payments based on 2025 crop year planted and timely reported acreage - Producers must file crop acreage reports with FSA by April 24, 2026 - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Approximately $1.625 billion in total program funding - Payment limitations per entity and AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) eligibility thresholds apply - Applications open June 1, 2026, with deadlines for submission and eligibility forms - The effective date for the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems rule is delayed to allow further regulatory review
Description
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is issuing a final rule to provide assistance to producers of eligible specialty crops through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. This program offers one-time bridge payments to help address elevated input costs and market disruptions caused by unfair trade practices affecting specialty crop exports. Eligible producers must have planted specialty crops in 2025, filed a crop acreage report by April 24, 2026, and meet other specified requirements. The program will administer approximately $1.625 billion in assistance, with payments beginning in June 2026.