Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Illinois Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program provides federal funding made available through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and administered in Illinois by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The Department announced that more than $796,000 will be distributed over a three-year period to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce and improve the competitiveness of Illinois specialty crop producers and related sectors. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The stated purpose of this funding is to strengthen Illinois specialty crop production, local food systems, and innovation in the specialty crop industry. Illinois will prioritize projects that benefit beginning farmers and first-time specialty crop producers, projects with educational programming to improve knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, projects that connect specialty crops with nutrition and health outcomes including food safety, and projects that prioritize sustainability and conservation. A beginning farmer is defined as an individual or entity that has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years and substantially participates in the operation. The Department invites projects that address issues affecting the specialty crop industry. Eligible project areas include enhancing food safety, improving capacity across the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act requirements, developing Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices, and supporting cost-share arrangements for audits of those systems for small farmers, packers, and processors. Other eligible areas include specialty crop research with attention to conservation and environmental outcomes, organic specialty crop growth, new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops, pest and disease control, nutrition knowledge and specialty crop consumption among children and adults, and efficiency improvements that reduce distribution system costs. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local and government entities, trade and commodity associations, and public and private colleges and universities. Projects must benefit the specialty crop industry rather than a single applicant or commercial interest. Projects that benefit a particular commercial product or provide profit to a single organization, institution, or individual are ineligible. Farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-sponsored agriculture programs are directed to consider USDA Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program proposals instead. The application for grant funding is stated to be available during the week of the announcement on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Applications must be returned to the Department by noon on June 5, 2026. The source does not identify a letter of intent, pre-application, concept paper, webinar, portal, phone number, or named application attachments. Additional information can be found on the Department website or by contacting AGR.ISCBG@illinois.gov. The program period will run from September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2029. The source does not state award ceiling, award floor, number of awards, matching requirement, review criteria, award notification date, or a recurring application schedule. The only named media contact is Lori Harlan at Lori.Harlan@illinois.gov, while the program contact email provided for additional information is AGR.ISCBG@illinois.gov.

Align projects with Illinois priorities: beginning farmers and first-time specialty crop producers, educational programming, nutrition and health outcomes including food safety, sustainability, and conservation. Avoid projects that benefit a single commercial product or create profit for one organization, institution, or individual.