The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2024 Speciality Crop Block Grant program. Funds for the program are awarded to the agency by the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The grant funds are, in turn, granted to projects and organizations to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.”
Proposals will be evaluated on their ability to successfully enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry in Kansas and make a positive impact on the Kansas economy. Those recommendations will be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, who will make the final awards. Applications are due no later than 5:00 Monday afternoon, March 18th. Go to the KDA website: agriculture.Ks.gov/specialty crop. In 2024, Kansas will receive approximately $330,000.
