Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Forecasted
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program supports Delaware specialty crop stakeholders with research, marketing, distribution, and food-access projects to strengthen crop competitiveness and farmers’ livelihoods.
Funder: Delaware Department of Agriculture
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Grant proposals to DDA)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$75,000 per project; estimated 2026 pool over $402,000; agreements up to 32 months
Summary: Supports research, marketing, distribution, and food-access projects that enhance the competitiveness of Delaware’s specialty crop industry.
Key Information: Applicants must reside in Delaware or have a Delaware business or educational affiliation, and projects must benefit more than one entity.
Description
The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) administers a competitive grant program supported by Farm Bill funding through USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). It funds projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of Delaware-grown specialty crops: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Supported work includes marketing and promotion, research and development, expanded availability and access, and responses to challenges facing specialty crop producers.
Projects should sustain Delaware farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen the state’s economy, and produce measurable benefits for the specialty crop industry or the public. Priorities encompass food safety, conservation and environmental research, crop improvement, pest control, pollinator health, nutrition, beginning farmers, distribution efficiency, local food systems, underserved communities, veterans, and urban agriculture.
