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 The additional funds are available in response to the impact of
COVID-19 on the food system, to expand the availability of
fresh, locally-grown produce, to strengthen the competitiveness
of the state’s specialty crop industry and support organizations
who assist farmworkers and food businesses.
“Illinois is proud to be the number one producer of pumpkins and
horseradish in the United States and is a top-ten producer of
asparagus, cauliflower, fresh-cut herbs, peas, mustard greens
and lima beans,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the
Illinois Department of Agriculture. “To be able to provide these
resources to our specialty crop producers who not only support
our state, but also the nation, is very rewarding.”
Proposal packets and additional information about the program
can be found online at the Department’s website or by contacting
AGR.ISCBG@illinois.gov and must be returned to the Department by
4:00pm on November 29. To be eligible for funding, all projects
must begin in calendar year 2022.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local and
government entities, trade and commodity associations and public
and private colleges and universities. Illinois encourages
applications that benefit small farms and ranches, new and
beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged
producers, veteran producers, and under severed communities.
To encourage further expansion of the specialty crop industry
IDOA invites the development of projects pertaining to the
following:
• Improving the specialty crop industry affected by COVID-19
• Enhancing food safety
• Improving compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety
Modernization Act
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• Investing in specialty crop research and technology
• Increasing in child and adult nutrition knowledge
and consumption of specialty crops
• Improving pest and disease control
• Improving food access in underserved communities and among
veterans
• Protecting and improving pollinator health
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
Projects that benefit a particular commercial product or provide a
profit to a single organization, institution, or individual are
ineligible. Farmer’s markets, roadside stands and
community-sponsored agriculture programs should consider submitting
proposals to the USDA’s Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion
Program.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service defines specialty crops as
“fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and
nursery crops (including floriculture).” There are more than 3,200
producers devoting more than 90,000 acres of Illinois farmland to
specialty crops production, creating nearly $472 million in annual
sales for Illinois farmers.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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