Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Thursday that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The program is funded through the federal Farm Bill and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. It provides states with funding to award grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Eligible produce includes fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, and floriculture. Livestock and poultry are not eligible. Naig says, “The growth of Iowa’s specialty crop sector reflects what we’re hearing from consumers across the state. People want more locally grown fruits, vegetables, and horticulture products, and they want to know the farmers behind the food.” Individual awards are capped at $30,000. Iowa agencies, universities, producers, industry associations, and community-based organizations may apply. Applications must be submitted to the department by 4 p.m. on March 27. More information and application materials are available below.
