THOMPSON CALLS ON USDA TO GUARANTEE CALIFORNIA SPECIALTY CROP GROWERS RECEIVE FAIR SHARE OF $8 BILLION IN FUEL RELIEF

Napa, CA - Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) is demanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide clear guidance on how specialty crop producers will access USDA's newly announced $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program and deliver fair assistance to farmers to offset rising fuel and production costs.

Announced on October 19, the program is said to provide one-time payments to farmers to help address market disruptions and increased input costs during the 2026 crop year from the Iran war and trade war. While USDA plans to release payment rates for major commodity crops in November, the department has yet to announce how payments will be determined for specialty crop producers.

"California's specialty crop growers are facing rising fuel prices and higher production costs, and they deserve a fair shot at this assistance," said Thompson. "Our fruit, vegetable, nut, and winegrape growers are essential to California's agricultural economy. USDA needs to ensure that relief reflects the real costs of growing their crops and that these farmers aren't left behind."

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Thompson is requesting clarification on how specialty crop producers can access the program and how increased fuel costs will factor into payment calculations. USDA has encouraged specialty crop growers and other producers of non-Title I commodities to submit information about increased fuel costs for consideration when determining payment rates.

Thompson also raised concerns that previous federal assistance for specialty crop producers failed to adequately address their financial challenges. Specialty crop growers often face substantially higher per-acre production costs than traditional commodity producers and need assistance that reflects the unique expenses of their operations.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

The Honorable Brooke Rollins

Secretary

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Rollins:

I am writing regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) October 19, 2026 announcement of $8 billion in assistance through the Harvest Fuel Relief (HRF) Program to seek clarification on how specialty crop producers will be able to access this funding and to urge USDA to ensure that all agricultural producers receive equitable assistance.

Farmers across my district are facing significant financial pressures from rising fuel costs, increased production expenses, and continued market uncertainties. These challenges are particularly acute for specialty crop producers, including the growers of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and winegrapes who are essential to the California agricultural economy. While I appreciate the recognition of the need for additional assistance, it is critical that specialty crop producers are not once again left receiving disproportionately less assistance than other agricultural producers.

Earlier this year, USDA provided assistance to specialty crop growers through the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers program, following the announcement of the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. Unfortunately, the funding made available to specialty crop producers was insufficient to address the significant financial challenges facing these operations. Many specialty crop growers face substantially higher per-acre production costs than traditional commodity producers. The assistance provided did not adequately reflect these costs or the economic losses these producers have experienced.

USDA's announcement indicates that payment rates for Title I commodities will be released in November, while the methodology for other eligible commodities will be announced at a later date. I am concerned that this approach could once again leave specialty crop producers with uncertainty about whether they will receive meaningful assistance and how that assistance will compare with payments to other producers.

Specialty crop growers deserve the same consideration and equitable access to federal assistance as producers of traditional row crops. While payment rates should account for differences in production costs and economic losses across commodities, no producer should receive less adequate compensation simply because of the type of crop they grow.

I strongly urge USDA to provide clear guidance to specialty crop producers as soon as possible and ensure that funding is distributed fairly across the agricultural industry. Relief should be based on the actual financial challenges facing farmers, not on whether they grow a traditional commodity or a specialty crop.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

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Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-responsible Blue Dog Coalition.