2-21 IAN Specialty Crops

 Applications are currently being accepted by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  Funds are provided by the United States Department of Agriculture and are allocated to the state to be awarded through a competitive grant process.  

Projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant.  According to ISDA’s Amanda Gibson: “Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” 

Approximately $1,000,000,000 in funds will be available to interested local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and universities.  Projects may include, but are not limited to, pest and disease control, enhancing food safety, developing new and improved seed varieties, increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, market development, or developing good agricultural, handling, or manufacturing practices. 

Projects will be evaluated on how well they enhance the competitiveness of Idaho’s specialty crops, soundness and quality of the project plan, measurable outcomes and return on investment.