Asparagus farmers may be eligible for funding through the new Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistant Payment Program that has been authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
Following losses after the importation of South American asparagus from 2004-2007, U.S. asparagus farmers took a large economic blow and the United States Department of Agriculture worked towards a program to help cover losses.
The program will distribute a total $15 million to asparagus farmers across the United States.
The market leaders are found in Washington, California and Michigan. These producers asparagus producers saw a decline in sales after Peru entered the competition with tax-free imports under the 1991 trade agreement.
This competition was not only threatening, but had an advantage to domestic-grown asparagus.
Payments for the Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistant Payment Program will be based off what the producers should have produced during 2003 and 2007. Payments will be delivered in one lump sum.
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