MS Dept. of Ag. and Comm. accepting specialty crop grant proposals

Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is accepting proposals for its Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Commissioner Andy Gipson announced.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop industry. Grants support marketing and promotion efforts, research and development initiatives, expanded access and availability of specialty crops, and projects addressing local, regional and national challenges facing producers.

Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. In 2025, specialty crops accounted for more than $201 million of Mississippi’s agricultural industry.

Past projects have included school garden grants to increase awareness and consumption among students; marketing campaigns promoting locally grown specialty crops; food safety improvements through Good Agricultural Practices; research on new crop varieties; strategies to improve honey bee colony health; grower education seminars; optical imaging technology for sweet potato and blueberry packing lines; and high tunnel research trials on fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Eligible applicants include producer groups and associations, nonprofits, colleges and universities. Funding will not be awarded for projects that solely benefit a specific commercial product or provide profit to a single organization or individual, though partnerships are encouraged.

Applications must be submitted to MDAC by April 1, 2026. Applications are available in the “Alerts and Announcements” section at mdac.ms.gov. Additional information is available by contacting Susan Lawrence at (601) 213-213-7542 or [email protected].