Kentucky Opens Specialty Crop Grant Applications for 2026

By Blake Jackson

The application period is now open for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, according to Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, offering new opportunities to strengthen Kentucky’s specialty crop sector.

“With the intention of making Kentucky specialty crops more competitive in domestic and foreign markets, the specialty crop program is seeking application proposals to creatively increase those areas of interest,” Commissioner Shell said.

“While Kentucky’s specialty crop industry already makes up a significant part of the state’s agricultural economy, there’s always room for growth.”

Eligible applicants include private businesses, small enterprises, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and quasi-governmental entities such as public universities.

Proposals must clearly outline how projects will benefit the specialty crop industry or the public and demonstrate measurable outcomes. However, funding will not be granted to projects that exclusively support a single product or generate profit for one entity.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has identified several priority areas for 2026 based on feedback from industry experts.

These include pest and disease management, research focused on conservation and environmental improvements, enhancing distribution efficiency, and strengthening food safety practices.

Additional project areas may involve sustainability initiatives, improving agricultural handling and processing methods, developing new or improved crop varieties, and promoting greater consumption of specialty crops through nutrition education.

Applicants must first submit a preliminary proposal using the designated form available online. Completed forms should be emailed to Anne Harney by 4:30 p.m. EDT on May 11, 2026, at Anne.Harney@ky.gov. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals for further consideration.

Specialty crops encompass a wide range of products, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticultural crops, nursery plants, floriculture, and honey.

The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which recently announced $86.6 million in total funding. Kentucky expects to receive approximately $413,908 for distribution through its competitive grant process.

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