The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. The program focuses on expanding the availability of fresh, locally grown produce and strengthening the state's specialty crop industry, which spans over 100,000 acres of farmland in Illinois and generates nearly $500 million in sales annually.

The primary objective of the SCBGP is to foster innovation and support projects that address critical issues in the specialty crop sector. These issues include enhancing food safety, complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act, advancing research and technology, increasing public knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, improving pest and disease control, addressing food access in underserved communities and among veterans, protecting pollinator health, streamlining distribution systems, and developing new seed varieties and specialty crops. Funded projects are expected to produce measurable outcomes that benefit the broader specialty crop industry or public rather than solely benefiting a single entity.

Applicants are encouraged to submit projects that align with the program's goals and demonstrate the potential for industry-wide impact. Examples of eligible projects include a nonprofit showcasing organic fruit production models in collaboration with educational partners or an individual farmer implementing and promoting food safety practices to other farmers. The Illinois Department of Agriculture emphasizes that projects with a singular, individual, or institutional benefit will not be funded.

Grants are awarded through a competitive review process. Applications are evaluated by an independent committee comprising stakeholders from the agricultural community. Projects must detail their potential to create measurable benefits for the specialty crop industry and address one or more of the program’s priorities.

The application window for the 2024 funding cycle closed on March 22, 2024, with awardees announced on August 22, 2024. The application period for the 2025 funding cycle is expected to open in February 2025. Updated information will be provided closer to that time. Prospective applicants should prepare detailed proposals and review eligibility criteria carefully to ensure compliance with program guidelines. Key updates and application requirements will be available through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's website.