H.R. 9884: Cultivating Horticultural Innovation in Local Economies Act of 2026

This bill would create a new federal emergency aid program for specialty crops, which generally means fruits, vegetables, nuts, nursery crops, and similar high-value crops.

What the bill would do

It would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to set up a framework for giving direct financial assistance to specialty crop producers when their crops are harmed by an adverse event. The bill says this could include things like an economic crisis or market disruption, if the Secretary determines it qualifies.

The aid would be based on a producer’s past specialty crop sales, either from one prior calendar year or an average of several prior years, multiplied by a payment factor set by the Secretary. That factor would depend on the amount of funding available and would be intended to help cover losses from the event.

How payments would be handled

• The Secretary would be required to take into account that specialty crops often have higher market value and higher production costs than many other crops.
• The Secretary would also have to account for the variety of business structures used by specialty crop producers.
• Payment limits would generally follow existing federal farm payment limits.
• However, if at least 75% of a recipient’s average gross income comes from farming, ranching, or silviculture, the normal payment cap would not apply, and the Secretary would set a separate limit, with a floor of at least $900,000.
• Existing federal rules about reporting interests, eligibility, and denials would apply to specialty crop producers in a similar way they apply to producers of covered commodities.

Administration

The bill says that any future federal program providing this kind of specialty crop aid, including aid through the Commodity Credit Corporation, must use this new framework.

Funding

The bill provides $5 billion for fiscal year 2027, available until spent, to carry out this assistance program.

Relevant Companies

• None found