Idaho Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Idaho Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, aims to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops through competitive grants. Eligible projects focus on nutrition education, pest control, sustainability, food safety, and research on seed varieties. Funding is available to various organizations, including government agencies and universities, promoting community benefits and compliance with food safety regulations. This initiative supports the growth and distribution of specialty crops, fostering economic development.

Background
Specialty crop funding is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture and is allocated to the state to be awarded through a competitive grant process. Projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.
Funds are available to interested local, state and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations and universities.
Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
• Pest and disease control
• Sustainability
• Enhancing food safety
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems

Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. Chapter 27), for example, developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems (including USDA GroupGAP) for small farmers, packers and processors
Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes