This program awards grants to State departments of agriculture to support projects that improve the competitiveness of specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. Funded activities include marketing and promotion, research and development, expanding crop availability, and tackling challenges faced by producers at local, regional, and national levels.
Eligible applicants are State departments of agriculture in the 50 States, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligibility is limited to government entities responsible for agriculture within these jurisdictions.