The maine department of agriculture, conservation, and forestry will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry $640,638.23 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) on September 30, 2025, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops throughout Maine.

The recipient will leverage marketing and promotion efforts, support research and development relevant to specialty crops, expand availability and access, and address challenges confronting specialty crop producers. The award funds one education and outreach project, two marketing projects, and one mini-grant project targeting specialty crops including tulips, freesia, narcissus, alliums, lavender, oregano, basil, mint, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, chestnut, hazelnut, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, kiwis, and other fruits, vegetables, and herbs across Maine.

Performance runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. The assistance type is a block grant with a three-calendar-year award period. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry will pass sub-award funding to grant recipients to implement the projects and activities.

The maine department of agriculture, conservation, and forestry 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 1 education and outreach projects, 2 marketing project and 1 mini-grant project to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including tulips, freesia, narcissus, alliums, lavender, oregano, basil, mint, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, chestnut, hazelnut, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, kiwis, and other fruits, vegetables and herbs throughout the state of maine.