Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute nearly $525,000 over three years to bolster the state's specialty crop industry through the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The funding for this initiative was authorized by the 2018 Federal Farm Bill.

"We are happy to once again be partnered with Illinois on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program," said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. "The innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the region's specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success."

Specialty Crop Block Grant funding is available only to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments.

"The 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds strengthen Illinois' specialty crop industry," said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "These funds have been awarded to projects intended to expand the availability of fresh, locally grown produce in both rural and urban communities. We are especially excited about the opportunity to provide crop education to school-aged kids. Hands-on learning, particularly hands-in-the-soil learning, is incredibly impactful on the next generation."

Projects were selected following a competitive review process conducted by IDOA and an external review committee composed of representatives from various sectors including the specialty crop industry, research, economic development, and producers.

Illinois prioritized applications focusing on educational outreach in socially disadvantaged communities as well as research projects conducted through public schools and universities. Of the eight awardees, two were first-time recipients.

The grant funds will be distributed among eight projects:

- **Elawa Farm Foundation**: $65,826 for expanding access to bilingual and ADA-adaptive specialty crop education in Lake County.

- **Freeport Student Garden**: $43,047.76 for transitioning cucumber and tomato production from conventional field methods to high tunnel production.

- **Fuller Park Community Development**: $56,160 for creating a fresh food market accessible five days a week in Fuller Park.

- **Gardeneers**: $41,965 for increasing knowledge about specialty crops among 3,500 students in Chicago.

- **Illinois Specialty Growers Association**: $115,000 for offering educational programs through conferences and workshops aimed at improving farm viability.

- **Southern Illinois University**: $67,140 for developing UV-assisted washing technologies to enhance food safety of fresh produce.

- **University of Illinois**: $64,679 for creating a rapid agricultural water testing method compliant with FDA regulations.

- **University of Illinois Extension**: $70,442 for evaluating best practices in ginger cultivation across diverse soils and climates.

Further details about these programs can be found on IDOA's website or by contacting AGR.ISCBG@illinois.gov.