On Sept. 16, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the state of the specialty crop sector. Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., and Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., both noted the economic challenges facing producers, while outlining different policy approaches.
Thompson highlighted funding included in the July budget reconciliation bill, which he referred to as the "Big Beautiful Bill." The bill allocated an additional US$95 million per year for the specialty crop research initiative, US$15 million more for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program, and doubled funding for market development programs. "These investments represent a substantial step in rising to the occasion of assisting our specialty crop producers," Thompson said. "But investment alone is not enough. We also need to ensure these programs are accessible, effective, and responsive to real-world conditions."
Craig criticized the legislation, which she called the "Big Ugly Bill." She argued that many requests from the specialty crop sector were not addressed, particularly improvements to crop insurance.
Crop insurance was a central issue raised by witnesses. Michael Frantz, president of Frantz Wholesale Nursery in California, said existing programs do not fit growers of diverse crops. "Some of those only reside on the farm for a few weeks, while others, like oak trees, can take as long as eight years before they can be shipped to customers," he said. He suggested that insurance should assess damage in square footage rather than acreage.
Dana Brennan, vice president of corporate affairs for Grimmway Farms, added that only 5% of farm bill funding goes to specialty crops. She called for risk management programs that cover both large and small farms.
Trade was also raised. Brennan said nontariff barriers, such as packaging standards, limit exports. She also warned that tariffs on input products contribute to cost pressures. Austin Scott, R-Ga., called for revisiting tariffs on agricultural machinery.
Labor legislation was discussed, with Brennan voicing support for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would change H-2A processes and wage calculations while creating pathways to legal residency.
Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, testified on behalf of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. He said block grant funding has supported pest and disease management, but warned that without a full farm bill, specialty crop growers face continued uncertainty. "In Michigan, specialty crops once offered a way for farmers to diversify. But these days, instead of growing their operations, many farmers are debating if they can stay in business," Boring said.
He added that recent frosts reduced yields by 30% to 90% across Michigan orchards this year, following weather-related losses in 2024.
Source: FarmProgress