KDA Specialty Crop Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), is a competitive federal funding opportunity designed to support the enhancement of specialty crops in Kansas. The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS), which allocates funds to state departments of agriculture to support projects that strengthen the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops including floriculture. Kansas anticipates receiving approximately $325,000 for this grant cycle, which will be awarded to projects aligned with statewide priorities. The objective of this program is to fund initiatives that support marketing and promotion, research and development, and expansion of access to specialty crops, as well as addressing key challenges faced by Kansas producers. Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes that benefit the broader specialty crop industry and not just an individual or single organization. KDA prioritizes projects that improve the efficiency and reduce costs of distribution systems, enhance nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, and support data collection or environmental research specific to the Kansas specialty crop industry. While single entities may participate as partners, projects must impact the broader industry. Grants may be awarded up to $100,000 per project, with a project duration of up to three years. Matching funds are not required. All projects must begin on or after September 30, 2026, and conclude no later than September 29, 2029. Costs must align with USDA guidelines for allowable expenses, and specific restrictions apply regarding general-purpose equipment, lobbying activities, and capital expenditures not directly tied to enhancing specialty crops. Indirect costs are capped at 8% of direct project costs, and equipment over $10,000 must receive prior approval. Applications must be submitted through the Submittable online portal by 5:00 p.m. CT on April 17, 2026. Applicants are required to create an account on the platform, and only submissions that are complete and meet eligibility requirements will be reviewed. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is required for submission, but full SAM.gov registration is not necessary. Supporting documents include narrative descriptions of the project, budgets, and (optionally) letters of support. KDA offers webinars to assist applicants: an overview session on February 25, 2026, and an application walk-through on March 3, 2026. Evaluation involves both internal and external review panels that assess alignment with Kansas specialty crop priorities, budget clarity, partnerships, anticipated outcomes, and feasibility. Projects will be scored out of 100 points, and final decisions will be made by the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture based on recommendations. Previously funded applicants may lose points for failing to meet reporting or deadline obligations in prior years. Reporting requirements for awarded projects include quarterly, annual, and final performance reports. These reports document the use of funds, project outcomes, and adherence to objectives. Final reports are due by November 30 of the final project year. For further assistance, applicants can contact Brittney Grother, Grants Coordinator at KDA, at [email protected] or (785) 564-6797.

Proofread thoroughly; incomplete or poorly written applications will not be reviewed; letters of support show industry buy-in and are preferred.