WASHINGTON (Monday, Dec. 9, 2024) – Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Monday announced Monday that Michigan Specialty Crop producers will receive at least $78 million through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. The new program will provide $2 billion to support the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop growers across the country as they manage competing pressures from rising labor costs, the climate crisis, and international markets.

Stabenow said: “It’s not easy to grow fruits and vegetables, and it is important for growers to apply for this new program as soon as possible. These new resources will help ensure that our specialty crop industry, from producers large and small, remains competitive into the future.” 

Chairwoman Stabenow was instrumental in securing these new resources through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act. USDA is now accepting applications through Jan. 8, 2025. 

More information is available here. 

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