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The Agriculture Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) is a transformative program funded by the USDA 2501 grant, dedicated to empowering underserved farmers. Our mission is to provide vital resources and support to those who need it&#x2004;most, fostering a new era of agricultural leadership and innovation.


**Who is this program for? **

ALDI is designed to equip underserved farmers as defined by the USDA\*\* with the tools they need to succeed, including grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking opportunities, leadership development, and community building. By offering these essential services, we aim to bridge the gap in access to resources and create a more equitable agricultural landscape.

Our program not only helps farmers navigate the complexities of modern agriculture but also challenges them to shift the narrative and embrace forward-thinking approaches. Through ALDI, farmers are encouraged to lead with confidence, advocate for their needs, and build lasting networks that drive collective success.

Join us in our mission to reshape the future of agriculture and support those who are poised to make a significant impact. Your contribution to ALDI will help cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthen the fabric of our farming communities.



The Agriculture Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) is a transformative program funded by the USDA 2501 grant, dedicated to empowering underserved farmers. Our mission is to provide vital resources and support to those who need it most, fostering a new era of agricultural leadership and innovation.

Who is this program for? 
ALDI is designed to equip underserved farmers as defined by the USDA** with the tools they need to succeed, including grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking opportunities, leadership development, and community building. By offering these essential services, we aim to bridge the gap in access to resources and create a more equitable agricultural landscape.
Our program not only helps farmers navigate the complexities of modern agriculture but also challenges them to shift the narrative and embrace forward-thinking approaches. Through ALDI, farmers are encouraged to lead with confidence, advocate for their needs, and build lasting networks that drive collective success.
Join us in our mission to reshape the future of agriculture and support those who are poised to make a significant impact. Your contribution to ALDI will help cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthen the fabric of our farming communities.

ALDI is designed to equip underserved farmers as defined by the USDA** with the tools they need to succeed, including grant writing assistance, advocacy training, networking opportunities, leadership development, and community building. By offering these essential services, we aim to bridge the gap in access to resources and create a more equitable agricultural landscape.

**Four groups are defined by USDA as “Historically Underserved,” including farmers or ranchers who are: 
- Beginning
- Socially Disadvantaged
- Veterans
- Limited Resource 
The USDA defines socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) as those belonging to groups that have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice. SDFRs include farmers who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian or Pacific Islander. For some but not all USDA programs, the SDFR category also includes women.

Education

Stewardship

Beginning Farmers

Socially Disadvantaged

Veterans

Español

Native Americans

People Of Color

Women

Historically Underserved

Legal & Finance

Contact your local FSA Service center to apply.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) authorized the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the&#x2004;Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). 

In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA has expanded the program to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.



The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) authorized the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). 
In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA has expanded the program to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.

ELAP provides assistance for livestock feed and grazing losses that are not due to drought or wildfires on federally managed lands; losses resulting from the cost of transporting water to livestock due to an eligible drought; losses resulting from the additional cost associated with gathering livestock for treatment and/or inspection related to cattle tick fever, honeybee feed, colony and hive losses; and farm-raised fish feed and death losses. 

An eligible livestock, honeybee or farmraised fish producer who certifies they are socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, or a veteran farmer or rancher will receive 90 percent of the payment rate for the losses under ELAP.

The average adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation relating to limits on payments for persons or legal entities, excluding joint ventures and general partnerships, with certain levels of AGI apply. Specifically, a person or legal entity with an AGI (as defined in 7 CFR Part 1400) that exceeds $900,000 is not eligible to receive ELAP payments. Direct attribution provisions also apply to ELAP. Under direct attribution, any payment to a legal entity will also be considered for payment limitation purposes to be a payment to persons or legal entities with an interest in the legal entity or in a sub-entity.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Livestock

Honey

Bees

Seafood

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Apiary

Eels

Fish

Shellfish

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Atka Mackerel

Carp

Catfish

Flounder

Goosefish

Herring

Hybrid Striped Bass

Largemouth Bass

Ornamental Fish

Pacific Cod

Pacific Ocean Perch

Pollock

Recreational Sportfish

Red Drum

Sablefish

Salmon

Sole

Sturgeon

Tilapia

Trout

Tuna

Turbot

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

Crab

Dungeness Crab

King Crab

Snow Crab

Southern Tanner Crab

Crayfish

Lobster

Geoduck

Squid

Specialty Crops

Pollinators

Aquaculture

Insects

- Fact Sheet
- Fact Sheet - Spanish Version
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions – Spanish Version
- ELAP Final Rule

Coronavirus

Fencing

Trade Relief

Trees

Wildfire

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Emergency

Disaster Relief

Inputs

Weather

Producers can apply to receive ELAP assistance at local FSA service centers. The ELAP application period ends Dec. 31 of each calendar year. 
In addition to submitting an application for payment, producers who suffered losses must submit a notice of loss to the local FSA service center that maintains the farm records for their business.

For honeybee losses, producers must file notice of loss with the FSA within 15 days after loss is apparent. For Livestock and farm-raised fish losses, producers must file notice of loss with the FSA within 30 days after loss is apparent.

Producers may submit an application for payment from ELAP anytime during the program year and up until January 30th of the following year.

Eligible specialty crop operations can apply for FSCSC by working directly with the Farm Service Agency office at their local USDA Service Center. Applications will be accepted via mail, fax, hand delivery, or electronic means.  
The following forms are needed to apply for FSCSC (Available below):
- FSA-888, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) Program Application: (available soon) This form includes a certification of the applicant’s status as a specialty crop operation and a small or very small business, and their eligible expenses. Complete the form according to the FSA-888 instructions.
- AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet
- SF-3881, ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form
- CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (if applicable)
- Supporting Documentation, if requested: Please note that applicants may be required to provide additional documentation to the Farm Service Agency, if necessary, to substantiate the expenses reported on the application. Examples of supporting documentation include paid invoices, purchase receipts, test results, food safety plans, and certifications, training documentation, and other records determined acceptable by FSA.

The FSCSC program provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in&#x2004;calendar years in 2022 or 2023. This program helps offset costs to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements. 

FSCSC provides up to $200 million to specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and/or 2023. For each year, FSCSC will cover a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a percentage of their related expenses.



The FSCSC program provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years in 2022 or 2023. This program helps offset costs to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements. 
FSCSC provides up to $200 million to specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and/or 2023. For each year, FSCSC will cover a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a percentage of their related expenses.

To be eligible for FSCSC, an applicant must:
- Have obtained or renewed a:
    - 2022 food safety certification that was issued between June 21, 2022 and December 31, 2022; or
    - 2023 food safety certification issued during the 2023 calendar year, and 
- Have paid eligible expenses. Expenses that have been incurred by the applicant, but have not yet been paid, will not be eligible.
- Be a specialty crop operation; and meet the definition of a small business or very small business.
    - A small business means an applicant that had an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding the program year of more than $250,000 but not more than $500,000. 
    - A very small business means an applicant that had an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding the program year of no more than $250,000.
- Be located in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

- Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program
- Notice of Funds Availability: Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program
- Fact Page

Public Health

Compliance

Eligible producers or legal entities must submit a complete Form FSA-1140 (FSA-1140-Spanish) MASC Application to any FSA county office by Jan. 8, 2025. Additionally, instructions for FSA-1140 (Instrucciones para FSA-1140) are available. FSA staff at your local USDA Service Center will work with you to file your application.

The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program provides financial assistance to specialty crop producers to help them expand domestic markets or develop new markets for their crops. 

MASC helps specialty crop producers offset higher marketing costs related to:

- Tenderness and perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs;

- Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control;

- Packaging to prevent damage; 

- Moving perishables to market quickly; and

- Higher labor costs. 




The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program provides financial assistance to specialty crop producers to help them expand domestic markets or develop new markets for their crops. 
MASC helps specialty crop producers offset higher marketing costs related to:
- Tenderness and perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs;
- Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control;
- Packaging to prevent damage; 
- Moving perishables to market quickly; and
- Higher labor costs. 


MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops grown in the US:
- Fruits (fresh, dried);
- Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);
- Tree nuts;
- Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;
- Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and
- Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass, and grass seed.
Common examples of specialty crops can be found on USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s specialty crop definition webpage. 
Eligible producers or legal entities must:
- Have an average adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $900,000 for tax years 2021, 2022, and 2023, unless the producer or legal entity’s average adjusted gross farm income is at least 75 percent of their average AGI;
- Be in the business of producing a specialty crop at the time of application and be entitled to an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025;
- Be a U.S. citizen, resident alien, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other organizational structure organized under state law, Indian Tribe or Tribal Organization, or a foreign person or foreign entity who meets certain eligibility requirements;
- Comply with the provisions of the “Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation” regulations, often called the conservation compliance provisions; and
- Not have a controlled substance violation.


Aloe Leaves

Blackberries

Fruits

Horticulture

Mamey Sapote

Maple Syrup

Mustard Greens

Parsnips

Passion Fruit

Pineapples

Plantains

Pummelos

Raspberries

Rutabagas

Tree Nuts

Vegetables

Abiu

Achachairu

Antidesma

FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. If demand for MASC payments exceeds available funding, MASC payments may be prorated, and the payment limitation of $125,000 may be lowered. If additional funding is available after MASC payments are issued, FSA may issue an additional payment.
For established specialty crop growers, those who certify crop sales in 2023 or 2024, FSA will calculate MASC payments based on the producer’s total specialty crop sales for the calendar year elected by the producer. 
Payments for new producers will be based on their expected 2025 calendar year sales and must submit FSA-1141 (FSA-1141-Spanish), Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) New Producer Expected Sales Worksheet.  Additionally, instructions for FSA-1140 (Instrucciones para FSA-1140) are available.


List of Agricultural Funding with Applications Closing Soon