(NAFB.com) – The USDA reminds specialty crop growers that assistance is available for producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses. The expenses are part of the process for obtaining or renewing a food safety certification through the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program. “The program is one of the many ways USDA helps support local and regional food systems and opportunities for small-scale producers,” says Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “I’m encouraging all specialty crop growers to discover how this program can help mitigate the costs of on-farm food safety certification, meet regulatory requirements, and apply by the January deadline.” Eligible operations must grow specialty crops, meet the definition of a small business, and have paid eligible expenses related to the 2023 certification. The application for 2023 closes January 31, 2024, and FSA will issue payments after the application period closes. For more information, growers should visit farmers.gov.