Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Program Overview

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is a federal grant opportunity provided by the USDA to state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by

(1) leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops;

(2) assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops;

(3) expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and

(4) addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops including floriculture.

For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, including a current list of eligible crops, visit USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

Specialty Crop Block Grants

The Kansas Department of Agriculture receives around $270,000 from the USDA to fund projects to enhance the competitiveness of the Kansas specialty crop industry each year. Projects of particular interest to KDA are those that explore economic development, education, and sustainability.

Applicants may apply for up to $75,000 for a specific project with preference given to projects one year in duration. Matching funds are not required. Applications for grant funds should show how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. Applicants must be a legal entity and have the legal capacity to contract.

The application period for the 2023 Kansas Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has closed. If you are interested in this funding opportunity, we recommend reviewing the application resources listed below to prepare for the next grant cycle.

Application Resources:

For additional information on this program, contact Brittney Grother.

Grant Application Interest Form

If you are interested in being notified when the online application is open for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program grants, please provide your contact information below.

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Last Name

Business Name (if applicable)

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Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients

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FY2023 Recipients
Montgomery County Farm of the Future ($45,923.96) – Coffeyville Public Schools will increase their students’ knowledge of specialty crop production by placing an indoor farm classroom at the high school. Students will learn agriculture, plant science, nutrition, business marketing, and food preparation skills. This classroom will be managed by high school students and will produce leafy green vegetables to be served in their district’s cafeterias.
Expanding Fruit Production Among Small Scale Beginning Farmers in Kansas City, Kansas ($65,267.20) – Cultivate KC will increase the variety, diversity, and resiliency of specialty crops grown and sold in Kansas City by providing education, training, and resources to refugee families starting their own small farm businesses through the New Roots for Refugees Program. This project will provide training, technical assistance, and resources to plant a fruit demonstration plot at the program’s training farm site and to support current farmers and recent graduates in adding blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries to their farm production.
Specialty Crop Video Series Highlighting Unique Specialty Crops in Kansas ($36,958.68) – From the Land of Kansas and Kansas Tourism will partner with a local marketing entity to create a video series to spread awareness of and excitement for Kansas specialty crops and the unique on-farm experiences they provide throughout the state. The video series will grow consumers’ interest in local specialty crops and the experiences they offer and educate them on how to access and consume those specialty crops in our state.
Exploring Mung Bean Production in Kansas ($58.800.60) – Kansas State University will establish baseline recommendations for mung bean production and assess the crop’s adaptability to different environments across Kansas. Mung beans are a warm season crop with a short duration and a high degree of tolerance to heat and water scarcity, making this option very attractive to farmers and useful to sustain the state’s finite water natural resources.
Continued Safety for Produce Growers: Worker Protection Standard Training and GAPs Certification Funding and Outreach ($58,371.84) – Kansas State University will help Kansas specialty crop producers receive training and certification as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-recognized Worker Protection Standard pesticide safety train-the-trainers so that they can train the workers on their farm. They will also help Kansas fruit and vegetable producers earn Good Agricultural Practices certification during the project, which will help growers access new markets which require that certification. This will help improve worker safety, produce safety, and the profitability of Kansas specialty crop producers.
Cultivate Maize: Growing Toward Educating Future Farmers with Sustainable School Meals Through School Gardens ($51,426.50) – Maize USD 266 will provide its 7,590 students, grades preschool through twelfth grade, with hands-on opportunities to plant, maintain, harvest, and consume produce from sustainable hydro gardens, all while never leaving their school buildings. Maize USD 266 Food Service will facilitate the project to provide school gardens for educators at 13 of their school buildings to use as a teaching tool to connect the learning goals of a variety of disciplines while exposing their students to becoming farmers and tasting sustainable specialty crops through school meals.
FY2022 Recipients

Let’s Explore ($66,082) – Children First CEO Kansas Inc. and its partners will increase knowledge and sales of specialty crops in the Sedgwick County metro area through continuing development of three education gardens and launching a media campaign called “Let’s Explore.”
Increasing Specialty Crop Access Through School and Community Gardens ($26,296) – Kansas City Community Gardens will increase access to specialty crops for low-income residents and increase willingness to consume crops among low-income children in the same geographic area by creating, expanding, and improving food-producing gardens at schools and community sites.
Increasing Consumer Knowledge and Consumption of Specialty Crops On-Farm in Wyandotte County ($46,690) – The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road will increase consumer consumption and awareness of specialty crops through youth and adult educational opportunities on-farm in Wyandotte County.
Marketing Mastery Academy for Specialty Crop Growers ($72,076) – The Kansas Department of Agriculture will partner with a local marketing entity to facilitate a marketing training program for Kansas specialty crop growers that helps producers learn marketing practices and develop marketing plans to implement for their operations in order to increase the sale of specialty crops.
Generating Youth Interest in Specialty Crop Production Through Expanded Programming at Willow Lake Student Farm ($71,708) – Kansas State University will expand its research and educational offerings at Willow Lake Student Farm to position the farm as the premier small- to mid-scale, diversified farm research and training center in the Midwest.
Expanding Food Safety Training, Aggregation Capacity, and Access to Local Food in North Central Kansas ($34,750) – The Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation and its partners will offer food-safety education and training to producers, processors, institutions, and community care team members in north central Kansas.
FY2021 H.R. 133 Stimulus Recipients

Fresh Food Matters ($66,280) – Children First CEO Kansas and its partners will increase knowledge of specialty crops to low-income, mostly minority students, their families, and neighbors through educational programs in three low-income neighborhoods located in Sedgwick County.
Kansas’ First American Viticultural Area Petition Project ($31,196) – The Kansas Viticulture and Farm Winery Association aims to increase competitiveness and sales of specialty crop businesses that support the wine industry in northeast Kansas by conducting research and submitting a petition to US Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to create an American Viticultural Area.
Helping Kansas Farmers Fill Students’ Food Plates with Fruits and Vegetables ($51,172) – The Kansas Rural Center will work with partners to create a comprehensive and accessible resource hub for all specialty crop stakeholders interested in Farm to School across the state.
Building Networking: Grower Connectivity Toward Meeting Evolving Market Opportunities ($37,755) – The Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association will develop an online networking platform for Kansas growers to augment efforts to address current food access, availability, and supply concerns.
Exploring Cowpea Production for Western Kansas ($33,793) – Kansas State University will establish baseline recommendations for cowpea production by evaluating a wide range of genetics for adaptability to western Kansas and exploring the basic bounds of production practices as it specifically relates to inoculation, seeding rates, and planting dates.
Enhancing Specialty Crop Farmer Competitiveness Statewide Through Online Education and Mentorship ($54,194) – K-State Research and Extension will lead a collaborative group of specialty crop growers, educators, and non-for-profit farms through an established network surrounding the Growing Growers Kansas City Program by developing an online course to train beginning and socially disadvantaged specialty crop farmers.
Evaluating Electrostatic Spraying to Improve Food Contact Surface Disinfection and Produce Safety and Quality ($66,705) – Kansas State Research and Extension will evaluate the efficacy of electrostatic spraying technology for disinfection of food contact surfaces and for postharvest treatment of produce.
Controlling the Growth of Foodborne Pathogens in Soil-Substitute Microgreen Production Systems ($56,679) – Kansas State University will evaluate the use of titanium dioxide as a disinfection step to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogens contamination during microgreen production.
Increasing Prairieland Market Off-Season Specialty Crop Value-Added Products ($39,243) – Prairieland Market will expand its programs to offer value-added specialty crop products in the off-season by teaching its volunteers and the public how to preserve and prolong the freshness of local specialty crops for year-round use.
FY2021 Farm Bill Recipients

Specialty Crop Expansion and Viability Enhancement Project ($27,005) – Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Inc., through the New Roots Specialty Crop Expansion and Viability Enhancement Project, will increase specialty crop sales for 68 beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, introduce 60 new specialty crops to consumers including exotic offerings from Asia and Africa, increase access and awareness by reaching 27 wholesale buyers, and double the number of access points in the group’s “Dedicated Markets” initiative which brings smaller farmers’ markets to dedicated sites.
Increasing Resiliency and Competitiveness of Beginning Specialty Crop Farmers in South Central Kansas ($69,186) –The Extension Education Foundation will build upon previous successes of the Growing Growers program and create a Growing Growers Learning Network which will provide quality learning experiences for new, beginning and socially disadvantaged producers related to recommended business practices, best food safety practices, and developing quality sustainable business.
Expanding Food Safety Training, Certification and Record Keeping Software for Specialty Crop Producers and Aggregation Centers ($44,960) – The Kansas Farmers Union will establish an agreement with Advancing Rural Prosperity, Inc., a Kansas team of local food system specialists, and Fresh Systems, LLC dba 4-Corners GroupGAP to expand a multi-state USDA GroupGAP into western Kansas. This will provide the High Plains Food Cooperative’s aggregation center and area small to medium sized producers a tiered FSMA training, USDA GAP certification, and introduction to the HeavyConnect software platform that electronically captures and manages farm food safety records.
Identifying Best Management Practices for Upright Dry Bean Production in Northwest Kansas ($46,551) – Research by Kansas State University will establish best management practices for upright dry edible beans. In addition, this project will evaluate several other management questions developed from producer interviews. Extension activities will communicate findings to current and potential future dry bean growers.
Safety For Produce Growers: Worker Protection Standard Training Certification and Gaps Certification Funding and Outreach ($56,094) – K-State Research and Extension will assist at least 10 Kansas specialty crop producers to receive training and certification as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Worker Protection Standard pesticide safety train-the-trainer so that they can train the workers on their farm. In addition, KSRE will assist seven Kansas fruit and vegetable producers to earn Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification during the project, which will help growers access new markets which require that certification. This will help improve worker safety, produce safety and profitability of Kansas specialty crop producers.
Improving Safety, Nutritional Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Lettuce Growing with Movable High Tunnels in Kansas ($74,495) – K-State Research and Extension will evaluate productivity, safety and quality of lettuce grown using a movable high tunnel production system in Kansas. Specifically, replicated field trials at K-State’s Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center will investigate the effect of different exposure times to open field conditions (full-spectrum natural light) prior to harvest on lettuce yield, microbial safety and nutritional quality, grown in a movable high tunnel. The open field exposure effect will be evaluated in terms of total and marketable yield and physical, microbial and nutritional characteristics.
FY2020 Recipients

Increasing Specialty Crops in Prepared Foods and Retail Sales at Prairieland Market ($42,655) – Through increased marketing, this project will expand community awareness of prepared foods and retail opportunities to consume local specialty crops that Prairieland Market in Salina will source from more than 12 local growers.
Promoting Specialty Crops in South Central Kansas through Growing Growers Learning Network ($68,312) – The foundation will build upon previous successes of the Growing Growers program and create a Growing Growers Learning Network to provide quality learning experiences for new, beginning, and socially disadvantaged producers related to recommended business practices, best food safety practices, and developing quality sustainable business.
Building Capacity for Education and Research Opportunities at K-State’s Willow Farm ($55,692) – K-State will establish the Willow Lake Student Farm as the premier small- to mid-scale diversified farm research and training center in the Midwest by improving the farm's infrastructure for hosting and teaching for-credit courses, workshops, field days, short courses, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
Specialty Crop Conference Education Support ($35,732) – KDA will financially assist Kansas specialty crop growers to attend a recognized conference on specialty crop growing techniques and industry to increase their knowledge base and develop a plan of action to implement new ideas into their operations.
Growing and Sustaining the Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association ($61,744) – KSCGA will work to grow the reach of the association by: improving communication for specialty crop growers across the state, evaluating the current online/alternative marketing channels for specialty crops, upgrading the KSCGA member directory, and building a statewide Specialty Crop Growers Support Bureau.
Fresh Food Matters ($55,995) – Children First: CEO Kansas will educate area students about the importance of growing and eating specialty crops through experiential learning in four learning gardens throughout the area. Further programs will include teaching adults how to prepare specialty crops in a teaching kitchen, as well as distribution of information cards throughout the area.
FY2019 Recipients

Improving the Yield, Quality, and Economic Potential of Strawberries Growing Under High Tunnels in Kansas ($67,990.32) – Study the economic potential of growing day-neutral strawberries under high tunnel in comparison to high tunnel tomato production, which is the main crop growing in high tunnels in Kansas during the warm season. Also determine pre-harvest methods by using non-traditional mulches for improving yield and quality of the day-neutral strawberries in Kansas.

Enhancing Density Apple Production in Eastern Kansas with Drape Netting ($35,084.36) – Partner with local tree fruit producers to provide education on high density apple production systems and the adoption of drape netting management practices. Funding from the project will be used to purchase a drape netting applicator. On-farm research will compare open-field orchard plots to those treated with drape netting and organic Kaolin Clay barrier spray.

Novel and Sustainable Wash-Water Systems for Improving the Safety and Quality of Leafy Greens ($54,174.96) – A multi-disciplinary team from Kansas State Research and Extension will collaborate with growers to implement cost-effective and sustainable antimicrobial wash-water systems to increase the safety, shelf-life, and therefore the competitiveness of leafy greens produced in Kansas.

GAPs Certification Funding and Produce Safety Outreach for Kansas Growers ($57,875.04) – Assist Kansas fruit and vegetable producers to receive GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification. This project will also assist in improving the safety of their products to meet increasingly strict regulatory and market requirements.

Enhancing Beginning Farmer Training and Market Access in Northeast Kansas ($44,739) – K-State Research & Extension – Douglas County will collaborate with the Common Ground program managed by the Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Office to build relationships with the economic development community, specialty crop buyers, and educational partners that lead to a long-term Sustainability Action Plan for an improved beginning specialty crop farmer training program at the Common Ground Incubator Farm. This will include a series of hands-on workshops for beginning producers at the incubator farm.

Specialty Crop Conference Education Support ($25,500) – Financially assist Kansas specialty crop growers in attending a recognized conference on specialty crop growing techniques and industry to increase their knowledge base. Specialty crop growers will also be able to develop a plan of action to incorporate knowledge gained into their operations.

Identifying Best Management Practices for Upright Dry Bean Production ($38,223.36) – Research by Kansas State University will establish best management practices for upright dry edible beans. In addition, this project will evaluate several other management questions developed from producer interviews. Extension activities will communicate findings to current and potential future dry bean growers.

Increasing Regional Vegetable Production and Distribution Capacity for Western Kansas ($42,250) – Partner with local producers and grocers along with High Plains Food Co-op (HPFC) and Advancing Rural Prosperity, Inc. (ARPI) to assist producers in Northwest Kansas scale up vegetable production and prepare to deliver to local grocery markets.
FY2018 Recipients

Fresh Food Matters ($61,512) – Educate low-income children and youth about specialty crops, as well as host six farm-to-table lunch events to provide knowledge about specialty crops to those living in low-income neighborhoods. A culturally sensitive farmers’ market will be designed, built and managed to provide a new delivery system/access point for the area and students will be provided with an opportunity to learn entrepreneurial skills, as well as learn specialty crop knowledge. Disadvantaged youth will also learn about specialty crop knowledge in a unique hands-on learning experience in a summer internship program.

Taking the Next Step in Pulse Crop Development for Kansas ($74,866) – Partner with Kansas State University to identify genetic markers in field peas for heat stress tolerance relevant to Kansas growing conditions, as well as identify germplasm useful in breeding pea varieties. From this garnered information, initial field pea breeding crosses and selections will be made, creating foundational genetics for Kansas.

Expanding Production and Markets of Fruits and Vegetables in North Central Kansas ($39,750) – Expand North Central Kansas growth-oriented fruit and vegetable growers and expand the local market for production through grocers. Additionally, expanded market access will be provided through the High Plains Food Cooperative distribution system.

Growing Specialty Crop Producers in South Central Kansas ($33,707) – Implement a regionally appropriate Growing Growers program in South Central Kansas and Sedgwick County. A scholarship program will be provided to offset the participation fee in the apprenticeship program to allow all possible participants. Furthermore, to increase the knowledge of new, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers, six workshops of the Growing Growers program will focus on recommended production practices, efficient use of pesticides, fertilizer, water, and best food safety practices.

Expansion of Blueberry Production in Kansas with Greenhouse and High Tunnel Methods ($33,707) – Evaluate two different hydroponic systems for greenhouse production of six different blueberry cultivars to determine yield and water use compared to traditional production techniques. Enterprise budgets for blueberry production in greenhouse and high tunnels systems will be constructed and a market analysis for small fruit producers in Kansas will be completed to develop the framework for local marketing plans.

KDA Education Program: Great Lakes Expo Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market ($35,527.62) – Provide a continuing education opportunity for specialty crop growers to attend the Great Lakes Expo located in Grand Rapids, Michigan in December 2018. Registration and travel stipends will be provided for up to 24 producers in an effort to expand their current knowledge base of specialty crop marketing, production, and sales.

Growing the Vegetable Producers Community with a Specialty Crop Growers Association ($36,158) – Renovate the existing Kansas Vegetable Growers Association into the KS Specialty Crop Growers Association by conducting statewide educational outreach and establishment of a web and social media presence. As a part of this, a quarterly KSCGA newsletter will be completed, and educational information will be distributed through appropriate methods. A survey of current KVGA member and new recruits to the KSVGA will be conducted to identify key goals for long-term success.
FY2017 Recipients

Rock Springs Specialty Crop Learning Center ($51,930.45) – The Kansas 4-H Foundation will establish a living classroom at Rock Spring 4-H Center to provide hands-on learning opportunities for youth and educators. Staff will assist with the establishment of the specialty crops, development of educational programs, and harvesting/production process to utilize the crops in the Center dining facilities.
Expanding Vegetable Production in Western Kansas ($44,000) – The Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation and additional partners will expand assistance to growth-oriented vegetable producers. Support will be provided to core growth producers for preparation in delivery to institutional markets, as well as increased specialty crop production in the High Plains food shed.
Linking Specialty Crop Farmers ($51,775) – The Kansas Rural Center will hold five regional workshops to help beginning specialty crop growers gain access to necessary educational information. Additionally, experienced and novice growers will be paired to facilitate the transfer of success stories and foundational learning methods.
Meet Me at the Market ($62,134.40) – KDA will provide farmers’ market managers and vendors with resources to increase awareness of specialty crops available at their markets through promotional events, marketing templates and educational workshops.
Effective Packing Practices ($70,086) – A scientific study at Kansas State University will analyze the effectiveness of utilizing a coating for cardboard flats for antimicrobial purposes. It will calculate the value of the technology to fruit growers, and interview at least 50 small fruit crop farmers to understand current packing practices and acceptability of coated cardboard as a tool for shelf-life extension of berries.
FY2016 Recipients

Enhancing Specialty Crop Production and Profitability ($47,337) – Provide research of best management and conservation practices for specialty crop production, as well as the dissemination of information, in order for producers to improve production and profitability of their operations.
Specialty Crop Incubator Program ($60,382) – The Kansas Department of Agriculture will continue their partnership with Seward County Community College to provide a specialty crop incubator program, allowing small specialty crop businesses to enter the industry. Conferences will be offered focusing on business management and specialty crop knowledge, while educational opportunities for area schoolchildren will be expanded.
Wine Business Incubator Project ($90,000) – Extend upon their previous efforts by creating and proving a wine incubator to be utilized by prospective Kansas enologists. Staff will be provided in order to assist with day-to-day activities of the incubator, as well as mentorship of clients.

Education Program for Great Plains Growers Conference ($34,090.81) – Provide conference registration reimbursement and stipend for specialty crop producers to attend the Great Plains Growers Conference located in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Strengthening Food Safety Education for Kansas Fruit & Vegetable Producers ($33,352) – Partner with K-State Research and Extension to provide training and resources for Kansas fruit and vegetable growers on produce safety, particularly related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Personnel will undergo a train-the-trainer workshop, enabling them to provide training to producers within the state.
FY2015 Recipients

Savor the Season Campaign to Promote Specialty Crops ($16,100) – Increase the interest in, and sale of, Kansas specialty crops by creating marketing tools producers can make use of through the Savor the Season campaign, which will provide consumers with education about the selection, storage, nutrition and preparation of Kansas specialty crops.

Developing Enterprise Budgets for Alternative Crops ($62,097) – Partner with the Seward County Community College and Area Technical School to improve local specialty crops farmers’ management strategies by creating eight highly customizable specialty crop Enterprise Budgets, which will help producers better estimate costs and returns for producing specialty crops and more efficiently allocate their resources in order to increase production and income.
Seward SCCC / ATS Specialty Crop Incubator Program ($47,200) – Partner with the Seward County Community College and Area Technical School to provide hands on training and incubator plots to new and aspiring specialty crop farmer, teaching participants the fundamentals of both how to raise and manage crops but also the business side of the specialty crop business.
Growing Communities: Modeling School and Community Collaborations for Specialty Crops ($63,985) – Partner with the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education to use gardening as an effective tool to teach youths about the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables by providing schools and youth groups training materials and program templates as well as hands on workshop and training opportunities.
Tunnel to Table: Increasing Kansas Specialty Crop Production and Profitability with High Tunnels ($55,043) – Partner with the Kansas Rural Center to help local specialty crop producers cope with the short growing season and unpredictable weather in Kansas by providing training and assistance to farmers to adopt high tunnel farming with the aim of increasing farmers yields and increase the production of nutritious local specialty crops.
Expanding Vegetable Production and Distribution in Western Kansas ($51,000) – Partner with the Western Prairie Resource and Conservation District to expand the vegetable production and distribution system in Western Kansas in order to facilitate an expansion of local production as well as combat the food desert that exists in the area as well as enhance producer’s vegetable safety practices.
FY2014 Recipients

Improving Shelf Life Quality & Safety of Locally Grown Vegetables in Kansas ($69,837) – Partner with Kansas State University to improve the efficiency of storage and distribution of specialty crops by providing growers with access to coolers, developing the use of modified atmosphere packaging, and developing washing protocols using ozonated water.
Printing of Statewide Beverage Brochure Supporting Farm Wineries ($29,376) – Collaborate with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to highlight licensed farm wineries by updating and printing a beverage-industry focused brochure and creating a mobile and microsite.
Statewide Survey of Specialty Crop Production ($35,941) – Identify and prioritize challenges faced by specialty crop producers in Kansas by investigating the challenges growers are facing, taking this information to determine what tools (education, outreach, cost-share, etc.) are pertinent to sustain and grow the specialty crop industry in Kansas, and developing a specialized action plan based on needs identified in the survey.
Viticulture and Enology Extension Project ($50,300) – Partner with Highland Community College, Viticulture and Enology Program to help the Kansas grape and wine industry to grow and improve fruit and wine quality through facilitating educational workshops, a wine evaluation event, and funding student interns to work on vineyards and wineries.
State-Federal Employee of KDA to become a GAP Auditor ($18,848) – Improve specialty crop production food safety practiced and increase the number of specialty crop producers seeking and attaining Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certifications by expanding the current GAP certification cost share program and conduct GAP audits.
Harper County Community Educational Center & Harper County Fair Kitchen Renovation ($61,858) – Partner with The Harper County Fair Association to educate individuals on how to properly grow, safely prepare, and preserve fruits and vegetables by offering workshops and field tours, conducting courses on how to cook with fruits and vegetables, and assisting specialty crop producers in creating value-added products.
Development of an Instrument to Document Fruit & Vegetable Growers in Kansas ($30,387) – Partner with Kansas State University to increase economic development of the specialty crop production in Kansas by developing and testing a survey instrument that assesses the economic impact of specialty crops growers by utilizing interviews, a preliminary survey, and post-survey focus groups.
FY2013 Recipients

Kansas Department of Agriculture GAP Auditor ($5,658) – Improve specialty crop production food safety practices and increase the number of specialty crop producers seeking and attaining Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification by training a state employee to be a GAP auditor.
Using Technology to Connect Kansas Specialty Crops and Consumers ($54,507) – Create awareness about Kansas specialty crops and products available online through the “From the Land of Kansas Market” program by providing an on-line retail store that would offer specialty crop producers access to post their available products without the need to spend personal capital to invest in their own marketing site and allow buyers to purchase their products. Matching funds will be utilized to cover expenditures for non-specialty crops.
From Tunnel to Table ($34,130) – Partner with the Kansas Rural Center to increase Kansas specialty crop producers’ knowledge of options and decision making criteria needed to incorporate polytunnel solutions on their farms by producing a thoroughly researched polytunnel comparison and resource guide, farm decision-making tool, and a series of regional on-the-ground workshops that demonstrate the different polytunnel options available.

Viticulture and Enology Extension Project ($34,750) – Partner with Highland Community College to help the Kansas grape and wine industry to grow and improve fruit and wine quality through consultations and educational workshops and make planting grapes more cost and time efficient through the use of a vine transplanter.
Shared Incubator Kitchen at K-State Olathe ($60,360) – Partner with Kansas State University, Olathe to increase the value of specialty crops in Kansas thru commercialization of new food products that would benefit both growers and consumers by establishing a shared-use incubator kitchen for specialty crop entrepreneurs to create local value-added specialty crop products, promote local foods, facilitate grower education, and enhance public access to local specialty crop foods.
Education and Assistance to Expand Kansas Vineyards ($25,530) – Partner with the Kansas Grape Growers and Winemakers Association to help expand Kansas wine/grape vineyards and increase Kansan wine/grape grower knowledge of wine/grape production by educational workshops, informational sessions on available micro-loans, networking opportunities, and cost share monies for growers to purchase vines for planting.
FY2012 Recipients

Postage Stamp Production Project ($53,814) – This project will assist local producers with growing, marketing and educating the public about their products.

Get Growing Kansas City ($9,000) – This project will help support beginning producers and markets in and around the Kansas City metro area.

Viticulture and Enology Extension Project ($42,504) – Provide assistance to prospective, beginning and existing grape growers and winemakers across the state.

Feasibility of Expanding Vegetable Production in Western Kansas ($36,575) – Study different production methods for vegetables.

Expanding Healthy Food Production through High Tunnel Technical Assistance ($41,615) – Provide assistance for local growers to extend their growing season and work with local schools on entrepreneurial projects.

Improving the Kansas Specialty Crop Industry through Enhancements to the State Trademark Program ($61,398) – Incorporate specialty crops into the state’s agricultural product trademark program.

Growing Healthy Communities and Economies through Northeast Kansas Specialty Crops ($13,456) – Provide marketing and education of specialty crops in the northeast Kansas region.
FY2011 Recipients

Our Local Food: Cultivating Specialty Crop Connections for Kansas Farms, Businesses, and Consumers ($171,520.54) – Partner with Kansas Rural Center to develop new relationships between specialty crop growers, food businesses, and consumers; generate sales of local produce by providing information; and provide technical assistance to specialty crop farmers and buyers while educating the population about the diversity and value of locally grown products.
HCC Vineyard Workshop and Grape Extension ($70,500) – Partner with Highland Community College to provide in-field workshops and individual guidance in an effort to continue to educate vineyard and winery owners and workers in Kansas.
Planet to Plate It ($31,596) – Partner with Salina Downtown Inc. to develop a shared-use commercial kitchen incubator and a small retail market within the incubator for specialty crop producers, which will provide education in value-added food products, marketing, business management, and good agricultural practices.
FY2010 Recipients

Highland Community College ($29,865) – Offer in-the-field extension services to Kansas vineyard and winery owners.
Glacial Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council ($42,049) – Educate individuals about properly growing, preparing and preserving fruits and vegetables.
Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education ($70,000) – Provide technical and educational support to K-12 Kansas schools to plant school fruit and vegetable gardens, tying lessons learned from the garden to classroom curriculum.
Kansas Rural Center ($70,000) – Aid six farmers’ markets develop electronic benefit transfer capacity in 2011. Matching funds will be used to cover expenditures for non-specialty crop commodities.
Kansas Rural Center ($70,000) – Increase specialty crop sales by helping build relationships between Kansas specialty crop producers, food businesses and consumers using a locally grown branding tool.
FY2009 Recipients

Kansas Rural Center ($24,853.95) – Provide a more consistent and intentional framework for food safety training in good agricultural practices for specialty crop producers through updated educational materials and increased training opportunities.

Washington County Farm Bureau ($45,049.91) – Partner with five other county Farm Bureau associations to create farmers’ markets where none exist, to identify new growers and to build a cooperative grower effort to explore new opportunities involving institutional markets, creating retail opportunities and contract grower arrangements.

Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom ($14,225) – Create resource lesson plans with factual information about Kansas specialty crops to increase student knowledge about and consumption of local fruits and vegetables.

Kansas State University Cooperative Extension ($34,000) – Share information about high tunnel technology to specialty crop growers across Kansas through a series of workshops, farm tours and field days, and to support research involving high tunnel production and cultivar evaluation of heirloom and commercial tomatoes, mini cucumbers, onion plants and raspberries.

Kansas Grape Growers and Winemakers Association ($39,250) – Lease a mechanical grape harvester and to collect data regarding labor savings, harvested crop quality and any noteworthy anecdotal information that will help establish baseline cost information related to mechanically harvesting grapes for wine.

Kansas State University ($44,688) – Establish a research and evaluation planting to examine several alternate conifer species that may be adapted to the region and used as Christmas trees or in the nursery and landscaping industry.

Kansas Department of Agriculture ($11,045.34) – Conduct a survey of the grape and wine industry to gather valuable data about the different grape varieties grown in the state, the different fruits used to make wine, the type and amount of wine produced, the level of tourism tied to grape and wine production, and other economic data.
FY2008 Recipients

Educational Program for Kansas Grape Growers ($33,500) – Enhance the competitiveness of the Kansas wine industry by increasing the knowledge level of grape growers and wine producers. Kansas State University (KSU) will participate in the project and will subcontract with the Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology (ICCVE) at University of Missouri and other states for delivery of educational services.

21st Century Farmers Markets: Profitability Through Awareness ($41,751) – Partner with the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops (KCSAAC) to provide education and training through a statewide farmers market conference; develop a website and blogs to promote markets and educate consumers, market growers and market managers; and stimulate increased consumption of Kansas grown fruits and vegetable through focused marketing on ten specialty crops and a farmers market week promotional cost share.

Establish Kansas Wine Quality Certification and Marketing Program ($30,000) – The basic reason quality is of such importance toward the establishment of Kansas wines is the customer base. Over half of the sales in Kansas wineries can be attributed to tourists or first-time customers. As Kansas is not yet established as a quality wine region, the customer is often skeptical and thus very critical of their first taste of Kansas wines. If the wine is not crafted in a quality manner, the customer will more than likely judge the entire state based on that first tasting. The main components of a wine quality program are the wine evaluation process, the recognition method and the marketing of the program wines.

HCC Research and Instruction Vineyard ($16,650) – Train future vineyard and winery employees and (hopefully future) owners. We plan to hire fulltime viticulture and enology faculty this summer and begin offering certificate and degree programs in Fall 2009. This Research and Instruction Vineyard will provide vital infrastructure for training students and will eventually provide product for an Instruction and Commercial Winery to be built later. HCC has already expended funds and assigned additional funding to viticulture and enology endeavors, but the vineyard project is not yet fully funded. All funding received from KDA will go toward the vineyard, and monies from other sources could then be diverted toward further curriculum development and basic winery equipment to be used for enology training.

High Tunnel Agriculture Construction and Use ($2,432) – The construction of and use of a high tunnel greenhouse. For growing food to be used by the Culinary Arts program at Flint Hills Technical College. Also, to be used in workshops and classes in the community for farmers, growers, and vocational agriculture programs in our region. The purpose is to offer training and information on high tunnel agriculture to help develop a stronger local market agriculture in our region and throughout that state of Kansas. Also, to help promote nutrition, health and wellness in our community by showing the benefits of locally produced food. The high tunnel will be constructed using low-cost materials available locally, using the information supplied by Ted Carey at K-State Research and Development Center in Olathe, Kansas.

Growing, Marketing, and Training for Edible Mushroom Production in Kansas ($36,810) – Grow shitake and oyster mushrooms on a commercial scale, using inexpensive locally obtained materials (oak log, wheat straw), out-of-doors at the KSU Horticultural Willow Lake Student Farm. The students are currently selling vegetables and herbs at the farmers markets and other venues and will benefit from product diversification. Keith Unruh-Carey has worked out the detailed growing requirements for the oyster mushroom in KS and has been selling them for a year and is willing to teach this to student farm interns and others through hands-on workshops and training. Rhonda Janke has been growing shitake mushrooms on her farm in Wamego for over 6 years and will share her experiences as well. The net result of this project will be more trained mushroom growers in Kansas, more supply, and hopefully continued increase in demand to absorb this supply through consumer education and marketing events ("shop with a chef" etc.).

Increase Winegrape Production Using Cost-Share Monies to Purchase Specialized Equipment ($20,000) – Assist Kansas wine/grape growers who are producing crops for Kansas Farm Wineries, this project will provide cost-share monies for the purchase of specialized vineyard equipment. Specialized vineyard equipment will mechanize operations and yield efficiencies in the vineyard. This would allow growers to increase both quantity and quality of Kansas grapes supplied to Kansas Farm Wineries. The overall result: industry growth.

Expanding the Kansas River Valley Local Foods Website to Serve All Kansas Communities ($28,050) – Increase the volume and market share of specialty crops in Kansas through expansion of the Kansas River Valley Local Foods website to a state-wide local foods/ specialty crop website. This website will link local farmers and ranchers with wholesale institutional buyers such as school systems, universities, and restaurants, along with retail buyers such as buying clubs and individual Kansas families.
FY2007 Recipients

Ethnic Specialty Crops for Kansas: Crops and Cultivars for Diverse Markets ($20,000) – New ethnic fruits and vegetables present great opportunities for producers and are of interest to many consumers. Demand for these crops comes both from immigrants yearning for a taste of home and from a wider population of U.S. consumers interested in healthy and tasty alternatives in their diets. Partners on this project will work with immigrant farmers in Kansas City to identify and evaluate specific crops for which there is likely to be market demand. Two sets of crops will be targeted: sweet potato for leafy greens and non-standard root types; and a number of Asian or African vegetables identified as having good market potential and probable adaptation in Kansas. Germplasm will be obtained, cultivar trials will be conducted both on-station and on-farm, and fact sheets will be developed for both production and marketing (nutritional information and recipes) for the crops targeted.

Research for Overcoming Barriers to Institutional Purchases of Locally Grown Food ($20,000) – Address at least three of the perceived barriers to institutional purchases through student research at the newly established horticulture student research farm at K-State. Specific barriers identified by dieticians at the K-State dormitory food service include food safety, cleanliness and price. For this project, we propose to conduct research specifically on food safety, cleanliness and price. Results will be shared with growers and institutional buyers throughout Kansas via Extension fact sheets, meetings, and web-based informational materials with the ultimate goal of increasing Kansas fruit and vegetable sales from their current level of less than $16 million to closer to their potential of $525 million (date from state sales tax and census of ag).

Growing Growers Training Program: Training New Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Kansas ($20,000) – Train new fruit and vegetable producers in Kansas through on-farm apprenticeships complemented by workshops designed to expose trainees to skill sets required for successful operations. This will be done by incorporating a fruit option/ focus into the Growing Growers Training Program, a collaborative program that has to date, focused largely on the training of new organic vegetable market farmers producing of the Kansas City market. The incorporation of fruit production into the Growing Growers program will broaden the focus to include new crops, and to include medium-sized family farms using sustainable practices which may not be exclusively organic.

Promotion of Specialty Crops at Kansas Farmers Markets ($20,000) – Farmers' markets will develop market promotion plans and implement successful mini grants to promote their markets and specialty crops. These 15 farmers markets will increase customer attendance by 10 percent and increase sales by 15 percent.

Enhance Kansas Wine Industry by Increasing Vineyard Acreage Planted to Newer and/or Emerging Varieties ($20,000) – Provide a boost to the state grape and wine industries, this grant will increase current wine grape plantings by 5%, from 200 to 210 acres. Participating growers will be required to plant per-specified wine grape varieties, plant them in per-specified quantities, provide timely feedback, and host a workshop in their vineyard. In return, they will be reimbursed one-third the cost of the plant stock. Details will be specified in an agreement between the grower and KGGWA.

KGGWA Marketing Program ($1,835) – New informational newspaper & brochures for all Kansas wineries which will include a map of the state indicating locations of Kansas wineries.
FY2006 Recipients

Research and Extension in Support of Kansas Sweet Potato Industry ($20,000) – Strengthen opportunities for sweet potato production and marketing in Kansas. Efforts will focus on a) building a seed program which will ensure adequate availability of foundation seed of preferred cultivars along with knowledge of appropriate techniques to enable growers to reliably produce their own planting material to ensure timely availability of affordable seed; and b) development of extension publications outlining production guidelines and budgets for organic and conventional sweet potatoes. Outcomes will include timely availability of planting material and information, supporting expanding Kansas sweet potato production to serve local, regional and national markets.

Extension Demonstration in Support of Scaling Up Mechanization for Kansas Vegetable Production ($17,600) – Strengthen market farming efforts in Kansas through demonstration of labor saving implements that have been shown to significantly increase efficiency of vegetable production efforts elsewhere. These include a spade for deep tillage while maintaining soil structure, a sod-burying tiller with bed-shaper and plastic mulch layer for one-pass soil preparation; and a flex-tine harrow for weed control. These tools will be demonstrated in open-field and high tunnel production trials at the K-State Horticulture Research Center and will be made available on loan to producers wishing to test them on their farms. Outcomes will include increased awareness and possible adoption by Kansas producers of improved implements and practices.

Student Farm Teaches Sustainable Farming and Business Skills ($19,993) – Develop student farm at K-State to allow better training for K-State graduates in fruit and vegetable production and marketing. As markets grow for local food, more supply will be needed. Currently Kansas produces between 5 and 10% of their produce needs. Few K-State Horticulture majors are choosing the production option. A student-farm experience will allow more hands-on teaching, and offer them a better experience.

LAHPA Direct Market Farm Guide & Web Page ($5,500) – Increase consumer demand for specialty crops raised by regional farmers by increasing customer awareness of these locally available products through a web page.

Promotion of Specialty Crops at Kansas Farmers Markets ($20,000) – Farmers markets will develop business plans and plans to promote their markets and specialty crops. Fifteen markets will receive specialty crop funds for promotion of the farmers markets and specialty crops.

Expanding the Buy Fresh/ Buy Local Program to Kansas ($15,692) – Establish a Buy Fresh/ Buy Local Chapter in Kansas to serve the marketing needs of small-scale direct marketing farmers and producers of all locally produced foods. Buy Fresh/ Buy Local is an extremely attractive promotional package of graphics and materials which has demonstrably assisted other states in growing this agricultural sector. The project will work with 30 farmers markets and 5 farm stands over two years. Use of the promotional packages are expected to grow throughout the state during that time. It will increase customer traffic at markets and farm stands by 10 percent.
Farm to Institutional Cafeteria Pilot Program ($10,306) – Impact six institutional meal programs serving at least 600 nutritionally at-risk clients, primarily school children and the elderly, by assisting at least 12 farms to provide locally grown food into those meal programs, utilizing the Kaw River Valley Foods website, which has been built to facilitate commercial transactions between local growers and institutions. This is a Pilot program which will beta test the website as a part of a broader Kaw River Valley Foods Project which is a joint effort of the Kansas Rural Center and Kansas State University.