We are posting this because one of the specialty crops that the USDA is assisting is Honey. All of these programs require detailed applications and reporting. In some cases the potential pay out is not worth the trouble for a small producer. We will update this post when we have that information.

That being said, the program offers cash payments based on how much honey you have sold in the last few years. So if you have sold honey and can meet the qualifications, you should consider applying for it.

The MASC Website where you can get more information is here.

Below find the text of a notice the USDA sent out and some guidelines on who can apply.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications from Dec. 10, 2024 through Jan. 8, 2025. Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, MASC was announced in November alongside the $140 million Commodity Storage Assistance Program for facilities impacted by 2024 natural disasters.

MASC helps specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to: 

• Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursey crops and herbs; 
• Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control; 
• Packaging to prevent damage;  
• Moving perishables to market quickly; and 
• Higher labor costs. 

MASC Eligibility 

To be eligible for MASC, a producer must be in business at the time of application, maintain an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025.

MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops: 

• Fruits (fresh, dried); 
• Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed); 
• Tree nuts; 
• Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture; 
• Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and 
• Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.