The rhode island division 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 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management $280,426.70 on September 30, 2025, under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Rhode Island through September 29, 2028.

The recipient will leverage marketing and promotion efforts, assist producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops, expand availability and access to specialty crops, and address local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers. The grant funds four sub-awards addressing education, outreach, and cross-focus initiatives focused on cut flowers and various fruits and vegetables throughout Rhode Island.

Sub-recipients include Revive The Roots, which will activate Mowry Commons as a specialty crop outdoor classroom to increase productivity and knowledge of agroforestry systems ($8,359.20, awarded August 18, 2026), and the University of Rhode Island Research Office, which will provide research and extension support for Rhode Island cut-flower growers (awarded August 11, 2026). Work is performed in Rhode Island. The grant is a three-year block grant assistance type awarded through a merit review process comprising initial qualification screening, technical peer review, and administrative review by AMS officials.

The rhode island division 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 education and outreach projects and 1 project that crosses more than one focus area to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including cut flowers and various fruits and vegetables throughout the state of rhode island.