USDA Announces Investments in Specialty Crop Programs

USDA announced a major increase in funding for specialty crop programs this week, with more than $275 million in grants available for fiscal year 2026.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins noted the funding will be distributed through key USDA programs, including the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts provided the largest investment in American agriculture, including boosting support for America’s specialty crop producers. 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 Secretary Brooke Rollins. “It’s thanks to members of Congress like [Representative] Tom Barret that Michigan specialty crop producers and those around the country will be able to use these boosted investments.”

The increase, she said, is possible because of the Working Families Tax Cuts, which more than doubles annual funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to $175 million, up from $80 million. It also raises combined funding for the block grant and multi-state programs from $85 million to $100 million annually starting in FY2026.

Automation Will Be A Focus

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is tasked with implementing SCRI which provides funding for research and extension projects to address the most critical challenges faced by the domestic specialty crop industry.  For the first time ever, USDA noted, the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for SCRI will set aside at least $20 million to fund research and development into mechanization and automation technologies for the specialty crop industry to help reduce labor costs.

Both SCBGP and SCMP are implemented by the Agricultural Marketing Service and provide funding for innovative projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing, education, and research. Funds for SCBGP are distributed to States and territories by the Agricultural Marketing Service based on a formula that considers both specialty crop acreage and production value while SCMP funds are awarded on a competitive basis to States as well as local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit organizations residing in nonparticipating States.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com