Legislation to create tax credit aiding specialty crop growers garners support

Legislation to create a new federal investment tax credit aimed at accelerating deployment of innovative farming technologies for specialty crop growers has been introduced to widespread support.

Mike Kelly, chair of the U.S. House Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee, led a bipartisan group of representatives in introducing the Supporting Innovation in Agricultural Act on March 5.

The bill has been endorsed by more than 50 trade associations and organizations including the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the International Fresh Produce Association, FMI – The Food Industry Association, Agricultural Retailers Association and the CEA Alliance, as well as 30-plus state agriculture secretaries and commissioners.

“From Pennsylvania to California, Missouri to Massachusetts, innovative technologies will be essential for America’s specialty crop producers — helping to make farm operations more resilient, more sustainable and ultimately more competitive on the global stage,” Colin O’Neil, managing director of the Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation, said in a news release.

The USDA projects the U.S. will run a trade deficit for the third consecutive year, driven largely by increased demand for specialty crops. The Coalition for Specialty Crop Innovation said the fresh food supply chain also faces threats from extreme weather and drought conditions, worsening pest and disease pressures, rising input costs and inflationary pressures, and labor shortages.

“Accelerating the deployment of innovative technologies for specialty crop producers will strengthen the resilience of our fresh food supply chains and help producers across the country grow more food with fewer resources,” said Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.