The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced $1.625 billion in assistance for specialty crop growers through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, and New York grape growers are eligible. This is a one-time bridge payment based on reported 2025 planted acres, designed to support specialty crop farmers impacted by unfair market conditions.

Are Grapes Eligible?

Yes! Both fresh and processed grapes qualify for assistance under this program:

• Fresh Grapes (Tier 1): $650 per acre
• Processed Grapes (Tier 2): $225 per acre
• Payment limit: $250,000 per producer

Please note that acreage reported as a cover crop, prevented planted, or with an intended use of grazing, left standing, green manure, silage, forage, volunteer, or experimental will not be used to determine payments.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, producers must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
• Have reported eligible acres for the 2025 crop year by April 24, 2026

Important Dates

• June 1, 2026: Online enrollment opens for producers with a Login.gov account
• June 8, 2026: Enrollment opens at FSA County Offices
• August 7, 2026: Application deadline

How to Apply

Pre-filled ASCF applications are available to producers who reported their 2025 crop acreage for eligible specialty crops by April 24, 2026. Only one application is required for all ASCF-eligible specialty crops nationwide.

You can apply in two ways:

Online: Producers with a secure Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled application at landmark.usda.gov/ascf. Visit farmers.gov/account to create your Login.gov account if you do not already have one.

At Your Local FSA Office: Beginning June 8, 2026, producers can request their pre-filled application from their FSA county office. Completed applications can be returned in person, electronically, by email, or by fax.