The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced on April 15 that the proposal window is now open for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
The program aims to support projects that make Kentucky specialty crops more competitive in domestic and foreign markets. Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said, “With the intention of making Kentucky specialty crops more competitive in domestic and foreign markets, the specialty crop program is seeking application proposals to creatively increase those areas of interest. While Kentucky’s specialty crop industry already makes up a significant part of the state’s agricultural economy, there’s always room for growth.”
Applicants are required to describe how their projects could produce measurable outcomes for either the specialty crop industry or the public. Eligible applicants include privately owned companies, small business owners, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and quasi-government entities such as public universities. Projects must not solely benefit a single commercial product or individual organization. All funding is subject to availability.
For 2026 grants, priorities identified by industry experts include pest and disease control, research focused on conservation and environmental outcomes, improving efficiency and reducing costs in distribution systems, and enhancing food safety. Other focus areas are sustainability practices, developing good agricultural handling methods, creating new seed varieties or crops, and increasing nutrition knowledge among children and adults regarding specialty crops.
Preliminary proposals must be submitted using a form available at kyagr.com/marketing/documents/SC_Concept_Proposal.pdf by email no later than May 11 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Qualifying applicants will then be invited to submit full grant applications. The definition of specialty crops includes fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticultural products like nursery crops including floriculture plants, as well as honey.
Kentucky expects to receive $413,908.66 from its share of $86.6 million provided by the United States Department of Agriculture for this grant cycle through an annual competitive process administered by KDA.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture obtains funding through grants for county fairs and agricultural projects according to the official website. The department also celebrates agricultural education initiatives during designated months according to its website, uses facilities in Frankfort for operations according to its website, operates as a state agency within Kentucky’s executive branch according to its website, aims to enhance agriculture through strategic partnerships according to its website, and provides resources across all counties in Kentucky according to its website.
