Specialty Crop Block Grant
Forecasted
Specialty Crop Block Grant supports South Dakota’s specialty crop industry through research, production, outreach, and market development projects that improve competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Funder: South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: FY2026: $325,000 anticipated total; historical awards $5,000–$150,000; projects up to three years
Summary: Supports research, production, outreach, and market development that enhance South Dakota specialty crop competitiveness.
Key Information: Projects must benefit the broader South Dakota specialty crop industry, not solely one producer, business, or institution.
Description
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) administers this annual program using funding from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. DANR selects projects for a state plan submitted to USDA, then contracts directly with approved applicants. Eligible specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.
The program supports work that increases consumption and purchasing, expands production and distribution, improves food safety and pest management, develops seed varieties, advances research, and improves environmental sustainability. Research proposals should explain how findings can be applied by South Dakota producers and include producer involvement and plans to share results. Previously supported work includes crop variety trials, disease surveys, high-tunnel production, sustainable growing practices, food ingredient development, farmers markets, and institutional market access.
