IL Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

IL Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Department of Agriculture
Last Updated: June 07, 2025

Summary

The IL Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Illinois, which include fruits, vegetables, and nursery crops. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this program supports projects that boost local produce availability and strengthen the specialty crop industry. With over 83,000 acres dedicated to these crops yielding nearly $500 million in sales, the Department encourages initiatives in food safety, research, and improving access, especially in underserved communities.

Overview

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” The Illinois Department of Agriculture has been allocated funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to administer the program. These funds are supporting projects that are intended to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry. Illinois currently devotes more than 83,000 acres of farmland to growing specialty crops, which produce nearly $500 million in sales for Illinois farmers. To encourage further expansion of this industry, and to take full advantage of the allocated funds, the Department invites the development of projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry: Enhancing food safety; Improving compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act; Investing in specialty crop research and technology; Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; Improving pest and disease control; Improving Food Access in underserved communities and among veterans Protecting and improving pollinator health; Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops. Examples of Eligible Projects A non-profit organization requests funds to demonstrate the viability of organic small fruit production and partners with Cooperative Extension to publicize the working model of diversification to other regional growers.A single farmer implements food safety practices or models on his/her property to meet food safety requirements and conducts a field day and training services to encourage other small family farmers to adopt the methods

Eligibility

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