The kansas 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 Kansas Department of Agriculture $324,059.17 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) on September 30, 2025, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing, promotion, research and development, and expanded access throughout Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture will distribute the block grant across seven sub-awarded projects running through September 29, 2028: three research projects, three education and outreach projects, and one cross-functional project addressing local, regional, and national challenges facing specialty crop producers. Work focuses on pinto beans, spinach, and other fruits and vegetables across the state.

The three-year block grant structure is standard under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which provides states competitive grants to strengthen specialty crop sectors. The program employs a three-step merit review process—Initial Qualification Screening, Technical Review by external peer panels, and Administrative Review—to ensure compliance with statutory purpose and budget allowability. Recipients must retain financial records for three years following submission of the final Federal Financial Report and remain subject to audit by USDA's Office of Inspector General and cognizant Federal audit agencies.

The kansas 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 3 research projects, 3 education and outreach projects, and 1 project that cross more than one focus area to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including pinto beans, spinach, and other fruits and vegetables throughout the state of kansas.