Specialty Crop Market Promotion Act

Summary#

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Marketing Service, to set up a grant program to help eligible organizations develop, maintain, and expand commercial domestic markets for domestically produced specialty crops. Eligible organizations must apply with a marketing plan and certify that Federal funds will supplement, not replace, non-Federal funds. The marketing plan must describe demand-oriented promotion activities, how funds will be spent, market goals, and other information the Secretary requires. Grants may be multi-year and are subject to annual review. Recipients must provide matching funds equal to at least 25% of the grant unless the Secretary justifies a different amount; in-kind support can count toward matching. The Secretary must justify grant amounts in writing, may terminate grants for noncompliance, and may require independent audits after evaluations. The bill prohibits grant funds from being used to give direct assistance to for-profit corporations to promote foreign-produced products and limits direct assistance to certain for-profit entities (small businesses, cooperatives, certain associations) and nonprofit trade associations. The Secretary must begin monitoring and evaluating expenditures and marketing plan effectiveness no later than 15 months after the first grant is awarded.

What it means for you#

  • Organizations that promote U.S. specialty crops can apply for grant money if they meet the eligibility rules and submit an approved marketing plan.
  • Applicants must show how grant money and their own funds or services will be used, state market goals, and provide at least 25% non-Federal matching funds unless the Secretary sets a different match.
  • Grants can be ended if an organization does not follow the grant terms, fails to implement the plan, or does not contribute required resources.
  • Grant funds cannot be used to help for-profit companies promote foreign-grown crops and are limited in how they can support for-profit firms.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $75,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out the program.
  • The Secretary may use part of those funds for program administration.
  • Recipients must provide non-Federal matching funds of not less than 25 percent of the grant amount, unless the Secretary sets a different level; in-kind support may count toward the match.
  • No publicly available information on estimated total federal outlays beyond the annual authorization or on projected economic impacts is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.