Defining "Specialty Crops": A Fact Sheet (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Jan. 9, 2017 |
| Report Number |
R44719 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Renée Johnson, Specialist in Agricultural Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Premium Dec. 22, 2016 (5 pages, $24.95)
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Summary:
Generally, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops and floricultural crops are all considered to be horticultural crops. However, "specialty crops" are more narrowly defined in statute as "fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)" as part of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004, as amended (P.L. 108-465, 7 U.S.C. 1621 note).1 The statutory definition of specialty crops ties to program eligibility and funding allocations for a number of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs providing marketing and research assistance to eligible producer groups.2 This definition and specialty crop programs in general may become subject to review and debate as the 115th Congress considers reauthorization of the farm bill.
