USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently released additional guidance related to the MASC Program, specifically regarding compliance reviews and audits for growers who applied for or received payments.
USDA will be conducting random reviews of approved applications, and county FSA offices are expected to begin notifying selected producers in early June. If selected, growers will have 14 calendar days to provide documentation supporting their reported sales and eligibility information.
Examples of records USDA may request include:
- Packinghouse settlement sheets
- Sales receipts or processor records
- Contracts and acreage documentation
- Proof of production risk/share
- Records supporting projected 2025 sales, if those were used in the application
The notice also states that if certified sales significantly exceed documented sales, repayment obligations and potential interest penalties could apply. USDA established a 10% tolerance threshold before noncompliance findings are triggered.
Please be aware that this is not a new funding announcement, but rather USDA putting additional oversight procedures in place for the $2.65 billion investment into the MASC program.
For those who participated, it would be a good idea to begin organizing records now in the event your operation is selected for review. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Jacob Villagomes at jacob@cacitrusmutal.com.
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