U.S. growers of flowers and foliage are receiving federal aid through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program to help offset rising costs of labor, energy, and packaging. The $2 billion initiative provides direct payments of up to $125,000 per grower to assist with market expansion and increasing input costs.
This is only the second time the USDA has provided direct financial assistance to the floriculture industry since the Society of American Florists (SAF) successfully advocated for the inclusion of flower and foliage growers in MASC. During the pandemic, growers qualified for aid under the CFAP2 program thanks to SAF’s efforts.
The timing of the aid is critical, says Janet Louie, of the Salinas, California farm, Green Valley Floral, which has been approved for the funding. “In a lot of ways, this assistance helps during a time when we have the lowest production and the highest costs,” says Louie, who is a member of SAF’s Board of Directors. Rising energy costs, she noted, continue to strain growers who heat and cool greenhouses year-round. California’s new $16.50 minimum wage, which took effect in January, adds to the financial pressure.
In Florida, greens grower Albin Hagstrom & Son, is using the payment to help offset the high costs of H-2A labor, which requires providing housing, transportation, and other expenses on top of wages. The company is also investing in stronger shipping boxes to reduce product damage.
“We are delighted and very appreciative to SAF for being our voice to have a small piece of the pie from the USDA,” Hagstrom says. “Without SAF, we would have been excluded from the USDA help.”
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
