Program Name: Illinois Specialty Crop Block Grant
Organization: Illinois Department of Agriculture
Address: 801 E Sangamon Ave

PO Box 19281-9281

Springfield, IL 62794
Phone: 217-785-5710
Fax:
TDD:
Email: AGR.ISCBG@illinois.gov
Website: https://agr.illinois.gov/assistance/illinoisfarmprograms/speciality-crop-grants.html
Briefly Describe the Purpose of the Program
Illinois currently devotes more than 100,000 acres of farmland to growing specialty crops, which produce nearly $500 million in sales for Illinois farmers. To encourage further expansion of this industry, and to take full advantage of the allocated funds, the Department invites the development of projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

Enhancing food safety;

Improving compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act;

Investing in specialty crop research and technology;

Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;

Improving pest and disease control;

Improving Food Access in Underserved Communities and Among Veterans

Protecting and improving pollinator health;

Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;

Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.

Grants will be awarded through a competitive review process that includes the use of an independent committee of stakeholders from the agricultural community.
Year Program Established:
Eligibility Requirements or Restrictions
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local and government entities, trade and commodity associations, public and private colleges/universities. Illinois encourages applications benefiting smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities.
Application Deadline:  Every Spring
Application Guidelines:
Please see https://agr.illinois.gov/assistance/illinoisfarmprograms/speciality-crop-grants/proposal-submission-details.html
Funding Cap Per Application or Fiscal Year Program Funding: $75,000.00
How Must Funds Be Used:
Projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

Enhancing food safety;

Improving compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act;

Investing in specialty crop research and technology;

Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;

Improving pest and disease control;

Improving Food Access in Underserved Communities and Among Veterans

Protecting and improving pollinator health;

Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;

Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.