Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is sponsored by Delaware Department of Agriculture. This program funds projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of Delaware's specialty crop industry.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Delaware Department of Agriculture - State of Delaware Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Communications & Marketing Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Delaware Agricultural Organizations Connecting Delaware Farms and Schools Contact the Farm to School Program The USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Through funding provided for under the Farm Bill and managed by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of Delaware’s specialty crop industry.

USDA considers enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops through: Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; Assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; Expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and Addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture manages a competitive solicitation process to award the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Individual producers, producer groups, organizations, associations, state and local organizations, academia, and other specialty crops stakeholders can apply as single entities or combined efforts.

Projects should benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole and provide a positive impact with measurable outcomes. A visit to a farmers market offers an inside look at many of the Delaware Grown specialty crops our family farms produce.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is looking for grant projects that solely increase the competitiveness of Delaware-grown specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of Delaware farmers, and strengthen Delaware’s economy regarding the following priorities specified by the USDA: • Food safety compliance to address specialty crop buyer requirements for mitigating food safety risks.

• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes; • Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; • Pest and disease control; • Protecting and improving pollinator health; • Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; • Increasing opportunities for new and beginning farmers; • Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; • Developing local and regional food systems; • Improving food access in underserved communities and among veterans; • Increasing urban agriculture and other emerging agricultural practices by bringing food production into busy, populated areas – such as vertical gardens, shipping container farms, rooftop farming, hydroponics, community gardens, community composting, and food waste reduction.

Grant Program Timeline and Application Information Release of Request for Proposals May 18, 2026, no later than 4:30 p. m. EST Grant Proposals due to DDA Evaluation Team to select proposals June 8, 2026, no later than 11:59 p.

m. EST State Plan Submitted to AMS/USDA Anticipated AMS/USDA Approval Grant agreements completed Anticipated Project State Date (subject to change) Specialty Crop Block Grant Documents: 2026 Delaware Request for Proposal (pdf) 2026 Attachment A (pdf) – Application Cover Sheet Project Profile Template (pdf) In order to view this document, please download and open it from your computer.

Project Profile Template Quick guide (pdf) In order to view this document, please download and open it from your computer. For more information or to apply for this grant, please contact Sheree Nichols, Management Analyst III, Communications & Marketing section at the Delaware Department of Agriculture at (302) 698-4521 or by email at sheree. nichols@delaware.

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