USDA releases $1.2 billion in funding for specialty crops

Certified American Grown (CAG) has applauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the second round release of $1.2 billion in funding through the Market Access and Specialty Crop (MASC) Resiliency Program.

"This vital investment in America's specialty crops sector—of which U.S. cut flower and foliage farmers are an important part—demonstrates a continued commitment to bolstering the future of American agriculture," said the company in a statement.

"We are deeply appreciative that cut flower and foliage producers were once again recognized as eligible and critical stakeholders in this latest round of MASC support," said Camron King, CEO & Ambassador of Certified American Grown. "These investments are essential to maintaining a robust domestic floral industry and ensuring that our farms, large and small, have the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace."

CAG recognizes the MASC program not only as a short-term lifeline but as a strategic investment in the long-term sustainability of U.S. specialty crop producers. However, funding alone cannot ensure success.

Certified American Grown is committed to continuing its collaborative work with the USDA, members of Congress, and industry partners to address ongoing structural challenges that directly impact growers, including curbing the rising cost of inputs and doing business, which continues to strain the economic viability of farms; ensuring an available and viable labor force, including support for both domestic workforce development and access to secure, seasonal labor; and staving off unsustainable import pressures by working toward a more balanced floral marketplace that allows U.S. producers to compete fairly.

"Strategic programs like MASC represent a step in the right direction," added King. "But to truly revitalize and grow our sector, the structural policies that disadvantage U.S. producers must also be reexamined. Only through a combination of investment and reform can we ensure that American-grown flowers and foliage continue to bloom from coast to coast."