The illinois department of agriculture will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and…

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will receive $783,442.37 through September 2025 under a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. The grant funds will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Illinois through marketing and promotion efforts, research and development assistance for producers, and initiatives to expand access and address challenges in the specialty crop industry. As required by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170), the Illinois Department of Agriculture will work with sub-awardees to deliver measurable outcomes responding to COVID-19 impacts on specialty crop producers and other priorities.

The illinois department of agriculture will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers through a variety of activities/projects with their grant recipients. The H.R. 133 stimulus funding encourages states to prioritize projects that respond to covid-19 impacts. Beneficiaries include the residents of all 50 states, 5 territories, and the district of columbia. Performance evidence in the form of measurable outcomes is required.