This proposed legislation amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 by establishing the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program . This program directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agricultural Marketing Service, to award grants to eligible organizations. The core purpose is to encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of the commercial domestic market for domestically produced specialty crop commodities. Organizations seeking grants must submit an application, a detailed marketing plan, and certify that federal funds will supplement, not supplant, non-federal resources. The marketing plan must describe advertising and demand-oriented promotion activities, detail fund expenditure, and outline market goals. Grant recipients are required to provide non-federal matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the grant amount, which can include in-kind support. The Secretary may provide assistance on a multiyear basis, subject to annual reviews for compliance, and can terminate grants if terms are not met or marketing plans are ineffective. Funds are restricted from promoting foreign-produced products or providing direct assistance to large for-profit corporations, with exceptions for cooperatives, certain associations, and non-profit trade associations. Eligible organizations include U.S. agricultural trade organizations, cooperatives, state agencies, and specific private or specialty crop organizations. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $75,000,000 annually for this program, beginning in fiscal year 2026, with provisions for administrative expenses.
Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-5059| House
| Updated: 8/26/2025
This proposed legislation amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 by establishing the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program . This program directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agricultural Marketing Service, to award grants to eligible organizations. The core purpose is to encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of the commercial domestic market for domestically produced specialty crop commodities. Organizations seeking grants must submit an application, a detailed marketing plan, and certify that federal funds will supplement, not supplant, non-federal resources. The marketing plan must describe advertising and demand-oriented promotion activities, detail fund expenditure, and outline market goals. Grant recipients are required to provide non-federal matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the grant amount, which can include in-kind support. The Secretary may provide assistance on a multiyear basis, subject to annual reviews for compliance, and can terminate grants if terms are not met or marketing plans are ineffective. Funds are restricted from promoting foreign-produced products or providing direct assistance to large for-profit corporations, with exceptions for cooperatives, certain associations, and non-profit trade associations. Eligible organizations include U.S. agricultural trade organizations, cooperatives, state agencies, and specific private or specialty crop organizations. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $75,000,000 annually for this program, beginning in fiscal year 2026, with provisions for administrative expenses.