Funder: Idaho State Department of Agriculture
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: No minimum or maximum request; past average awards $50,000–$150,000; projects up to three years
Summary: Supports research, production, education, and market-development projects that enhance the competitiveness of Idaho-grown specialty crops.
Key Information: Projects must benefit more than one organization, institution, or individual.
Description
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) administers this competitive program using USDA Agricultural Marketing Service funding. It supports projects that strengthen Idaho-grown specialty crops in domestic or international markets. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, floriculture, and honey.
Supported work includes pest and disease control, sustainability and conservation research, food safety, improved seed varieties, innovative production technologies, and agricultural workforce development. Projects may also improve distribution efficiency, reduce distribution costs, develop markets, expand crop availability and access, strengthen local food systems, or increase nutrition knowledge and specialty crop consumption. The program also supports good agricultural, handling, and manufacturing practices throughout the specialty crop distribution chain.
