National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles noted Pest and Disease Program funding also increased to $90 million annually from the current $75 million. The Specialty Crop Block Grant program grew to $100 million from its current $85 million. The limitation on adjusted gross income would be eliminated if 75% or more of the income is earned through farming.

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said it was grateful to Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman for advancing these investments. Any Congressional investment in American agriculture must include specialty crops.

Many items that would typically be in a farm bill are finding their way into the reconciliation bill. Some of the policies proposed by the Specialty Bill Farm Bill Alliance have not been included due to Senate rules. Only funding changes are allowed, not the creation of new funding programs.

Read more about how the Senate reconciliation package could impact specialty growers here.