- USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) – This program provides grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by funding projects that focus on marketing, research, food safety, and education. These grants are available to state departments of agriculture, which then award funds to local nonprofits, producers, and research institutions.
- Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Grants – Offered by the USDA, these grants support research and extension activities that enhance the production, sustainability, and marketing of specialty crops.
- Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) – This grant program, also through the USDA, helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products, which can increase the competitiveness of specialty crops.
- Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) – This program offers grants to support the marketing of locally produced agricultural products, which can include specialty crops, and increase consumer access to fresh foods.
These grants can help boost the visibility, marketing, and overall competitiveness of specialty crops in your agricultural operations.