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MAY 14

Specialty Crop application window opens, Ag Commissioner announces

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 14, 2025) – Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell announces the proposal window is open for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.


“Kentucky’s specialty crops already make up a significant part of Kentucky’s agricultural economy, but there is always room for growth,” Commissioner Shell said. “With the intention of making Kentucky specialty crops more competitive in domestic and foreign markets, the specialty crop program is now seeking application proposals to creatively increase those markets.”


Applicants must describe how the project potentially affects and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public. Privately owned companies, small business owners, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and quasi-government entities, including public universities, are eligible to apply. All projects are subject to the availability of funds. KDA will not award grant funds for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.


Preliminary proposals must be submitted on the form at kyagr.com/marketing/documents/SC_Concept_Proposal.pdf and emailed to Brett McQueary at Brett.McQueary@ky.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. EST on June 2, 2025.


Qualifying applicants will be notified and invited to complete a full grant application. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticultural products, nursery crops (including floriculture), and honey. For a comprehensive list, interested parties may visit ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop.


KDA receives grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the specialty crop grant program and conducts an annual competitive application process to award grant funds.


For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, go to kyagr.com/marketing/crop-block-grant.html or contact Brett McQueary at (502) 782-4114 (office), (502) 330-6044 or Brett.McQueary@ky.gov.