Fwd: March 13 Deadline: Specialty Crop Assistance Program
Lindsey Shapiro
Farmers who planted specialty crops in 2025 may be eligible for one-time payments through the USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program.
To participate, producers must report 2025 planted acreage to their local FSA office by 5:00 p.m. EDT on March 13, 2026. Payments will be based on reported acres for eligible crops, and reporting your acreage may also help with access to other USDA programs.
(SIDENOTE: Have you already connected with your FSA office about acreage reporting? Are you open to sharing your experience with Pasa's Policy team? Please respond to this email!)
Because the deadline is approaching quickly and some program details are still emerging, we encourage farmers to learn more and check with their local FSA office if they are considering participating. Read RAFI’s blog/guide explaining the program and what you can do. (Scroll down to the bottom of the blog post for a great example of what acreage reporting could look like on a small-scale farm!)
Best,
Lindsey
Lindsey Shapiro (she/her) | Federal Policy Organizer | Pasa Sustainable Agriculture
215.297.6780 (cell)
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From: RAFI <raf...@rafiusa.org>
Date: Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Subject: March 13 Deadline: Specialty Crop Assistance Program
To: <lin...@pasafarming.org>
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Lindsey Shapiro
ASCF payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by Friday, April 24, 2026. USDA will release commodity-specific payment rates soon after the acreage reporting deadline.
Following completion of acreage reporting, producers are encouraged to prepare for the eventual announcement of the ASCF program application period by creating a Login.gov account. Doing so ensures that once FSA starts taking ASCF program applications, those producers who wish to apply online will experience an expedited application and payment process. Assistance will also be available through local FSA county offices.
Login.gov is the public’s one account for government engagement. Producers can use one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies, including FSA. Begin the Login.gov process by visiting fsa.usda.gov/fba to create a Login.gov account. Producers who have an existing Login.gov account can work with FSA using their existing account. For assistance creating a login.gov account, visit https://login.gov/help/.
Lindsey Shapiro (she/her) | Intake Coordinator | Pasa Sustainable Agriculture
Want to learn more about my farm? Visit rootmassfarm.com or check us out on Instagram!