USDA reopens reporting period for specialty crop bridge payments

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has reopened the reporting period for specialty crop producers seeking Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program bridge payments.

USDA announced $1 billion in one-time federal bridge payments for specialty crop and sugar producers affected by market disruptions, elevated input costs and ongoing trade disputes on Feb. 13. That followed $11 billion in aid to row crop growers affected by high yields and tariff turmoil announced in December 2025.

The original deadline to certify acreage reporting was March 13. Specialty crop producers now have until April 24 to report 2025 acres. 

“After full consideration of requests from specialty crop producers, industry leaders and members of Congress, Secretary Rollins made a responsive, Farmers First decision to reopen the acreage reporting period for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program,” FSA Administrator Bill Beam said in a news release. “We’re committed to doing what it takes to keep specialty crop producers economically viable and gathering accurate acreage reporting data is critical to making sound FSA program policy decisions. Reopening the reporting period ensures that every eligible producer has a fair opportunity to participate and that we deliver assistance where it’s needed most.” 

The ASCF program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. 

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. Once applications open, producers applying online will experience an expedited application and payment process, according to USDA. 

Assistance will also be available through local FSA county offices. 

Visit fsa.usda.gov/fba to create a Login.gov account. Producers who have an existing Login.gov account can work with FSA using that account.