The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is now accepting proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
The program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, aims to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop industry. The department said that specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops such as floriculture. In 2025, these crops accounted for more than $201 million in Mississippi’s agriculture industry.
According to Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, “The purpose of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop industry by 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.” Past projects have included garden grants for school-aged children, promotional campaigns for locally-grown products, food safety improvements through Good Agricultural Practices, research on new varieties, honey bee health management strategies, educational seminars for growers, optical imaging in packing lines for sweet potatoes and blueberries, and high tunnel research trials.
Eligible applicants are producer groups and associations, non-profits, colleges and universities. Funding will not be awarded for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide profit to a single organization or individual. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026. More information can be found in the official announcement.
According to the official website, an elected commissioner directs the department which operates statewide to support agricultural efforts. The department works to oversee and aid farming sectors for both growers’ and buyers’ advantage. It also promotes local products through programs like Genuine Mississippi branding and operates services including the state farmers market as well as housing the state Agriculture and Forestry Museum.
