8,000 California Specialty Crop Farms Left Out of $12 Billion Tariff Relief, New Bill Seeks Broader Aid

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced a bill designed to help wine producers and other specialty crop farmers who have suffered financial losses due to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. The proposed legislation, called the Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act, would establish a new program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide direct payments to growers of winegrapes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables who can demonstrate that they have been negatively affected by foreign tariffs.

The bill was introduced on Monday by Representatives Mike Thompson, a Democrat from St. Helena; Doug LaMalfa, a Republican from Richvale; Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat from Santa Cruz; Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Sunnyside, Washington; and Andrea Salinas, a Democrat from Tigard, Oregon. The lawmakers say that specialty crop producers are often excluded from federal farm relief programs, which tend to focus on row crops such as corn and soybeans.

If passed, the bill would also allow the USDA to purchase surplus specialty crops for use in nutrition programs like school meals and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Funding for the program would be authorized through 2030.

Recent data from the USDA’s November agricultural trade outlook shows that retaliatory tariffs have made it harder for U.S. producers of wine, fruit, nuts, and other specialty crops to compete in international markets. California farmers have been especially hard hit by tariffs imposed by China, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union—countries that are major buyers of California’s wine, nuts, and berries.

On the same day the bill was introduced, the USDA announced $12 billion in one-time relief payments for farmers affected by tariffs. However, those payments are limited to producers of row crops such as corn, barley, oats, peanuts, soybeans, and rice. Representative LaMalfa said he helped draft the new bill because most farmers in his district will not qualify for these USDA payments. According to USDA data, his district is home to nearly 8,000 farms, most of which grow specialty crops like fruit, nuts, berries, and vegetables.

LaMalfa said that dividing farm country is not a solution when both row crop and specialty crop growers are struggling. He emphasized that this bill aims to ensure all types of farmers receive support.

Winegrowing regions such as Napa and Sonoma valleys in Thompson’s district are also experiencing economic strain due to tariffs. Thompson said local vintners are being hit hard and that families in these communities are feeling the impact.

The USDA and the Wine Institute report that recent tariffs have reduced export demand for California wine while also increasing production costs by raising prices on imported glass bottles and packaging materials. These factors are putting additional financial pressure on wineries and specialty crop producers throughout California’s wine country.

Thompson said the proposed legislation would give these producers targeted relief to help them remain competitive in global markets. He described California’s agricultural and wine industries as vital parts of local economies and said supporting them is essential for protecting jobs and livelihoods in affected communities.

The Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act is now under consideration in Congress. If approved, it would mark a significant shift in how federal farm relief is distributed by extending support to growers who have previously been left out of major aid programs.