By Jamie Martin
The United States Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of more than 275 million dollars in grant funding for the specialty crop industry in fiscal year 2026. This funding will support farmers through research, education, marketing, and technological improvements.
The funding will be made available through three USDA programs focused on specialty crops. These include the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and the Specialty Crop Multi State Program. Each program serves a different purpose but shares the goal of improving the strength and competitiveness of specialty crop farming.
“The Working Families Tax Cuts provided the largest investment in American agriculture, including boosting support for America’s specialty crop producers,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“At a time when more Americans are demanding whole, nutritious foods aligned with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, at USDA we are ensuring the farmers who grow these foods have the tools necessary to continue their operations,” said Rollins.
“It’s thanks to members of Congress like Tom Barret that Michigan specialty crop producers and those around the country will be able to use these boosted investments,” said Rollins.
Due to expanded federal tax legislation, funding for the research initiative has increased significantly. It will now receive 175 million dollars per year. This funding supports research and extension projects addressing critical challenges such as crop disease, production efficiency, climate resilience, and food quality.
For the first time, part of the research funding will be reserved for mechanization and automation projects. These projects aim to reduce labor demands and help farmers adopt modern technologies.
“I was proud to deliver tax relief and real investments for Michigan agriculture in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, including in research, education, and marketing for our state’s many specialty crops,” said Congressman Tom Barrett.
“I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for launching the next round of funding here in Michigan, where our farmers produce more than 300 agricultural commodities, and our scientists lead the way in agricultural research. These investments will ensure Michigan farms stay on the cutting edge as they grow crops to feed America and the world,” said Barrett.
The Block Grant Program distributes funds to states and territories using a formula based on specialty crop acreage and production value. These funds help support local marketing, education, and research efforts. The Multi State Program awards competitive grants to organizations working across state lines, including universities, nonprofit groups, and tribal entities.
In addition to these grants, USDA has also announced one billion dollars in financial assistance for specialty crop farmers earlier this year. Continued investment in these programs reflects a strong national focus on supporting farmers who grow nutritious foods and supply markets across the country.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National