Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program supports Washington specialty crop producers and processors by funding research, training, production demonstrations, and market development that strengthen the industry.
Funder: Washington State Department of Agriculture
Due Dates: October 30, 2026 (Phase I concept proposal) | February 5, 2027 (Phase II full proposal, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Estimated $4.7 million for FY2027; FY2026 requests ranged from $25,000 to $250,000 per project
Summary: Supports projects that strengthen the competitiveness of Washington specialty crops and benefit the industry beyond a single operation.
Key Information: Projects must directly benefit Washington specialty crop producers or processors, not a single commercial product or business.
Description
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) runs a competitive, USDA-funded program to enhance the competitiveness of Washington’s specialty crops. These include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Eligible crop plants are cultivated or managed for food, medicinal purposes, or beautification; processed products must contain more than 50% specialty crop by weight, excluding added water.
Projects may include research, production demonstrations, training, and market development that share benefits across the specialty crop industry. WSDA gives funding-priority consideration to pest and disease control, market development, innovative production technologies, nutrition and consumption, and environmental stewardship and climate-smart agriculture. Projects outside those priorities can still be eligible.
