ODA Awarding Grants To Promote Specialty Crops

From farm to plate, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is offering financial support to businesses and producers through the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Request for Proposals is now officially open as of April 1, 2026, pending confirmation of federal funding from USDA.

Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). A full list can be found on the USDA's Specialty Crop website. Grant awards will range from a minimum of $25,000 up to a maximum of $150,000. Last year, Ohio organizations were awarded more than $710,000.

Through USDA's guidelines, the following entities are eligible to apply: food and agricultural non-profit organizations, cooperatives, associations or commodity groups, universities, and research institutions that represent specific specialty crop sectors. Projects benefiting only one single private individual, company, or organization are not eligible to apply.

To apply, grant proposals must be emailed to [email protected] by Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST.

Detailed guidelines, including project requirements and eligibility can be found here.