USDA Greenlights Info Collection for Crop Payments
Published Date: 6/11/2026
Rule
Summary
The USDA just got the green light to collect info for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program, helping specialty crop farmers get payments smoothly. Farmers who reported their planted acres by April 24, 2026, will see their applications pre-filled, making the process easier and faster. This approval lasts until October 31, 2027, so farmers can expect steady support and clear deadlines ahead.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
How ASCF Payments Will Be Issued
The Commodity Credit Corporation will issue ASCF Program payments to producers using forms CCC-556, CCC-901, CCC-902E, CCC-902I, CCC-941, and AD-1026. The notice identifies these specific forms as the paperwork through which payments will be administered.
Pre-filled ASCF Applications for Farmers
If you are a specialty crop farmer who reported planted acres on Form FSA-578 by April 24, 2026, the Farm Service Agency will pre-fill your ASCF Program application (form CCC-556). This should make submitting the CCC-556 faster and reduce the manual entry needed when you apply.
Approved Information Collection Burden
The OMB approved the ASCF information collection under control number 0503-0028 on June 1, 2026, with an expiration date of October 31, 2027. The total annual burden hours for this collection are 30,320 hours, and the AD-1026 form is exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act as specified.
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