Specialty Crop Block Grant
Forecasted
Specialty Crop Block Grant supports South Dakota specialty crop stakeholders with research, production, outreach, and market development projects to strengthen the competitiveness of the state's crops.
Funder: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: FY2026: estimated $325,000 total, pending federal funding; budgets under $75,000 prioritized; projects up to three years
Summary: Supports research, production, outreach, and market development that enhance the competitiveness of South Dakota specialty crops.
Key Information: Applicants must be South Dakota-based non-Federal stakeholders; projects cannot solely benefit one producer, business, or institution.
Description
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) administers this program using funding from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). It supports projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops produced in South Dakota: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Eligible work includes research and development, seed variety development, food safety, pest and disease management, environmental sustainability, and efforts to expand consumption, production, purchasing, and market access.
For FY2026, South Dakota prioritized increasing access, production, and distribution; increasing consumption and consumer purchasing; and improving environmental sustainability. Research proposals must demonstrate producer interest and involvement, explain practical applications for South Dakota producers, and include plans to share results beyond the applicant institution.
