May 22, 2025

USDA offers $72.9M in specialty crop grants to boost competitiveness

The USDA has announced $72.9 million in grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, aimed at supporting projects that improve the competitiveness of specialty crops nationwide.

Applications are being accepted through July 7, 2025, and must be submitted electronically. Eligible applicants include state and territorial agriculture departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The program, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, supports locally led projects focused on marketing, education and research for specialty crops. These include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, floriculture and nursery crops.

States and territories that receive funding will issue subawards to local projects within their jurisdictions. Those interested in applying for subawards must work directly with their respective state agriculture departments. A list of contacts is available on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website.

Funding for the program comes from the 2018 Farm Bill. Allocations are based on a formula that considers both specialty crop acreage and production value in each state or territory.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered unless the applicant can provide documentation of extenuating circumstances that prevented timely submission, according to USDA’s late application policy.

More information on grant eligibility and guidelines can be found on the program website or by contacting the SCBGP team at scblockgrants@usda.gov.