To support the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute nearly $525,000 over the next three years through the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

This funding, made possible by the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, is available to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments.

The IDOA partnered with an external review committee to select the funding recipients. Priority was given to applications focused on educational outreach in socially disadvantaged communities, as well as research projects conducted through public schools and universities.

Awardees include:

• Elawa Farm Foundation
• Freeport Student Garden
• Fuller Park Community Development
• Gardeneers
• Illinois Specialty Growers Association
• Southern Illinois University
• University of Illinois
• University of Illinois Extension

Additional information about the program and the awardee’s proposed projects can be found here.