The colorado 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 Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the Colorado Department of Agriculture $813,874.73 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) on September 30, 2025, for a performance period through September 29, 2028. The award funds marketing, research and development, and education and outreach activities to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Colorado, including cowpeas, grapes, peaches, potatoes, saffron, sweet corn, and other fruits and vegetables.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture passed funds to ten sub-recipients delivering five research projects, four education and outreach projects, and one cross-focus initiative. Colorado State University's Sponsored Programs division received four research sub-awards addressing peach cold hardiness, sweet corn market perception, saffron evaluation, and cowpea water productivity. The Colorado Potato Administrative Area II Division conducted potato virus detection research, coordinating with Colorado State University on field work and grower outreach in the San Luis Valley. The Regents of the University of Colorado (Office of Contracts and Grants) conducted varroa mite behavior research relevant to honeybee health. Esoterra Inc. (doing business as Esoterra Cider) developed hybrid grape varieties. Fort Lewis College delivered alternative farmer training programs. Guidestone supported medicinal and culinary herbs initiatives. Mental Health Center of Denver (doing business as Wellpower) operated the Dahlia Campus project. Work was performed in Colorado.

The colorado 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 state's sub-awards include 5 research projects, 4 education and outreach projects, and 1 project that crosses more than one focus area to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including cowpeas, grapes, peaches, potatoes, saffron, sweet corn, and other fruits and vegetables throughout the state of colorado.