The Society of American Florists’ push for federal economic assistance for floriculture growers reached a key milestone July 22, when the House approved a budget framework that could pave the way for $12 billion in relief for U.S. agricultural producers.
The framework for a broader $95 billion package clears an important procedural hurdle. The vote does not approve the agricultural assistance itself, and SAF is continuing to advocate for specialty crop producers — including floriculture growers — to receive equitable access to relief as lawmakers determine the amount and structure of the aid.
SAF has been working through the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, or SCFBA, and through its own advocacy efforts in Washington to build congressional support for dedicated assistance for specialty crop producers after floriculture growers were excluded from the previous round of emergency economic assistance. That effort gained momentum this month when 24 members of Congress signed a letter calling on House leadership to provide at least $15 billion specifically for specialty crops.
The July 16 letter, led by Reps. Adam Gray, D-Calif., and Jim Costa, D-Calif., came as lawmakers considered $12 billion in temporary economic assistance for both row and specialty crops as part of the reconciliation package. The lawmakers argued that amount is insufficient and called for at least $15 billion dedicated specifically to specialty crop producers.
The letter explicitly identifies floriculture among more than 350 specialty crops and points to sharply rising production and labor costs, limited access to traditional farm safety-net programs and the particular risks associated with highly perishable, labor-intensive crops.
SAF helped advance the effort through its longstanding involvement in SCFBA. SAF has been a member of the alliance since its inception in 2006 and has consistently had representation on its legislative committee. American Grown Flowers, also a member of SCFBA, worked alongside the alliance to encourage additional members of Congress to sign the letter.
“We’re making sure lawmakers understand that flower and plant growers face many of the same economic pressures as other farmers and deserve equitable access to relief,” says Joe Bischoff, Ph.D., SAF’s senior lobbyist.
The congressional letter argues that future relief should treat specialty crop producers equitably and specifically includes nursery crops and floriculture alongside fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and other specialty crops. The lawmakers said dedicated assistance is needed to preserve domestic production, strengthen supply chains and sustain farms and agricultural jobs.
SAF reinforced that advocacy July 21 by joining a broader coalition of agricultural organizations urging House leaders to support at least $12 billion in agricultural relief as part of the reconciliation package. The coalition letter, signed by 47 other agricultural organizations, including American Grown Flowers, points to record-high production costs, increased labor costs and shrinking margins across agriculture. It urges lawmakers to preserve the proposed assistance as Congress develops the reconciliation package and ensure relief reaches producers quickly.
“We’ll continue making the case that as Congress provides relief to American agriculture, specialty crops — including floriculture growers — need to be part of that support,” Bischoff says.
The timing and final scope of that relief remain uncertain. The Senate must adopt the same budget framework before lawmakers can begin drafting and advancing the reconciliation legislation, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated the Senate does not plan to move another reconciliation package until lawmakers address fiscal year 2027 government funding.
“There are a lot of plates in the air, and I expect some china will break before anything gets resolved,” Bischoff says, underscoring the political and procedural hurdles that remain before agricultural relief could become law.
Amanda Jedlinsky is senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.