Public Resources » Grants & Cost Share Programs

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for anticipated funding through the FY26 U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service 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 the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's website.

FY26 Specialty Crop Block Grants

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is expected to receive $325,000 from the USDA to fund projects to enhance the competitiveness of the Kansas specialty crop industry. Projects of particular interest to KDA are those that explore improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems, increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, and specialty crop research.

Applicants may apply for up to $100,000 for a specific project with a duration of up to three years. 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.

Who can apply? Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners. Other organizations that are encouraged to apply for these grants are schools, colleges and universities, extension programs, and research institutions.

The application period for the FY26 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is now open and is scheduled to close on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT. 

How to Apply

  1. Download and read the 2026 Kansas Request for Applications.
  2. Review the provided application resources. 
  3. Listen to the upcoming webinars. 
  4. Complete the online application. 

Application Resources

Webinars

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Overview
Recording of the overview of the SCBG program and grant opportunity.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Application Walk Through
Recording of a walk through of the application with the grant administrator.