USDA announced on April 29th that they will be issuing $1.3 billion as part of a second round of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crop (MASC) programs. Earlier this year, they announced $2 billion in MASC funding for specialty crops for which turfgrass seed and sod producers were eligible. Please be on the lookout for more information from the USDA Farm Service Agency. TPI’s success in getting sod established as a specialty crop in the 2008 farm bill continue to allow for sod farmers to be included in these and other USDA relief programs. As a direct result of TPI’s efforts, turfgrass is even specifically listed in eligible crops under the MASC program from January of 2025. TPI will continue to follow this at USDA’s Farm Service Agency and will release more information once it is available. You can also contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency location for more information.
First announced in December 2024, MASC authorized $2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to assist specialty crop growers with rising input costs and aid in the expansion of domestic markets. In January 2025, in response to stakeholder feedback and program demand, funding for MASC was increased to $2.65 billion. The MASC application period closed on Jan. 10, 2025.
