USDA Announces Availability of Bridge Program Payments for Specialty Crop Producers

USDA announced that it will provide $1 billion through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres, and specialty crop producers have until March 13, 2026, to report 2025 acres to USDA’s Farm Service Agency.