News Release

Deadline to apply for 2020-2021 funding is March 27, 2020

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for anticipated funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Interested individuals, community organizations and research institutions working to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri should submit their application by March 27, 2020.

“We are proud to bring this grant opportunity to Missouri for our specialty crop farmers,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “Our team continues to support this important sector of the agriculture industry in our state by providing avenues to increase business development opportunities through research, innovation and value-added agriculture.”

USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, honey, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The Department offers this grant program to expand markets on local, regional and international levels, develop distribution channels for specialty crops, and catalyze education, research, marketing, promotion, food safety strategies and crop-specific solutions for pests and diseases.

Proposals for the upcoming fiscal year must be submitted to the Department no later than close of business on March 27, 2020. Proposals will be evaluated and selected projects will be included in the Missouri State Plan for USDA review and approval. A list of previously funded projects is available on the Department’s website.

The application form and additional details are available online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.

For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.