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SPRINGFIELD, IL – In an effort to expand the availability of
fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness
of the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department
of Agriculture (IDOA) plans to distribute more than $679,000
over a three-year period thanks to funding allocated in the USDA
Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
An application for grant funding is available on the Illinois
Department of Agriculture website and must be returned to the
Department by 11:59 p.m. on June 23, 2025. To be eligible for
funding, all projects must begin in calendar year 2026.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local and
government entities, trade and commodity associations, public
and private colleges/universities. Illinois encourages
applications that benefit smaller farms and ranches, new and
beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran
producers and underserved communities.
“Illinois’ specialty crop industry is robust, providing diverse
opportunities statewide,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of
the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Specialty Crop Block
Grant funds bolster research at our world-class universities and
support non-profits’ efforts to provide hands-on agriculture
experience for students in Illinois.”
To encourage further expansion of this industry, and to take
full advantage of the allocated federal funds, the Department
invites the development of projects pertaining to the following
issues affecting the specialty crop industry:
Enhancing food safety.
Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop
distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the
Food Safety Modernization Act, for example, by developing “Good
Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good
Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for
funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and
processors.
Investing in specialty crop research, including research to
focus on conservation and environmental outcomes.
Supporting the growth of organic specialty crops.
Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.
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Improving pest and disease control.
Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of
specialty crops.
Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems.
Projects that benefit a particular commercial product or provide a
profit to a single organization, institution, or individual are
ineligible. Farmers’ 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 83,000 acres of Illinois farmland to
specialty crops production, creating nearly $500 million in annual
sales for Illinois farmers. Nationally, Illinois ranks first for its
pumpkin and horseradish production and ranks in the top ten for the
production of asparagus, cauliflower, fresh-cut herbs, peas, mustard
greens and lima beans.
Additional information about the program can be found online at the
Department’s website and/or by contacting AGR.ISCBG@illinois.gov.
Again, applications must be submitted to the Department no later
than 11:59 p.m., June 23, 2025.
[Illinois
Dept. of Agriculture (IDOA)]
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