Specialty Crop Block Grant

Some things states and specialty crop stakeholders should know about this year's USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Signup now underway. Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator Tricia Kovacs says first, an increase in available grant funding to. Speaker 2: 86.6 million, and they are able to support innovative research projects that kind of market specialty crops or help those industries really succeed and expand markets both domestically and abroad. Speaker 1: States have until June 8th to apply for specialty crop block grant funding. For those states awarded grants. Speaker 2: They do a competition in each state. So anybody who's looking to get a sub award to receive a grant through this program would need to go to their state Department of Agriculture's website or information when they're accepting applications and when they make their decisions. Speaker 1: In explaining the Specialty Crop Block grant program, Kovacs says it goes. Speaker 2: To state departments of agriculture. It's noncompetitive grants using a formula fund, and the state departments of agriculture then provide subawards within their state to locally led projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Now that definition of specialty crops includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, floriculture and nursery crops. Speaker 1: In addition, AMS offers the Specialty Crop Multi-State grant program, which involves a two tiered process. Speaker 2: Those applications are not due in October 16th of 2026 to us at USDA, the states that are participating will have their own deadlines ahead of that time. That they would then have that deadline to submit to us. Speaker 1: As in the title, the grant focus is multi-state issues and the specialty crops sector. Speaker 2: The Specialty Crop multi-state program has a little over $14 million in grant funding available right now. Speaker 1: More information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant program and multi-state program is available online at www.amazon.us.gov. I'm rod main reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC.