The florida department of agriculture and consumer services will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded $3.844 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on September 30, 2025, under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops through research, development, marketing, and promotion activities addressing challenges facing specialty crop producers across Florida.

The award funds 14 research projects and 2 marketing projects focusing on specialty crops including blueberries, blackberries, mango, ornamental fruit, disease control, and irrigation throughout Florida. The period of performance runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. This is a block grant assistance type.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services passes funding to sub-recipients including University of Florida (receiving multiple sub-awards with award dates November 17–December 3, 2025), Florida International University (sub-award December 3, 2025), and Florida A&M University (sub-award November 18, 2025). The source does not specify the individual sub-award amounts or the distinct work products each sub-recipient delivers beyond the program's stated focus on research and marketing in specialty crops.

The florida department of agriculture and consumer services 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 14 research projects and 2 marketing projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including blueberries, blackberries, mango, ornamental fruit, disease control and irrigation throughout the state of florida.