Specialty Crop Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Grant Program is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) as part of the federally funded Specialty Crop Block Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This initiative is designed to bolster the competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. By administering this program at the state level, VDACS enables Virginia-based organizations to apply for funding through a competitive process that prioritizes outcomes with broad public or industry benefit. For the 2026 funding round, VDACS is operating a two-phase application process. Applicants must begin by submitting a pre-application, which is due by February 6, 2026. This step is essential, as only pre-proposals selected by VDACS will advance to the full application stage. These selected applications are incorporated into the Virginia State Plan and subsequently submitted to the USDA. After USDA review and approval, funds are disbursed by VDACS to the sub-grantees. The anticipated date for award disbursement is October 1, 2026. To apply, interested parties must register and submit their application through the VDACS WebGrants System. In addition to the application, all applicants must include a completed Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) W-9 form; federal W-9 forms are not accepted. WebGrants registration and submission instructions are available through VDACS resources. Applicants are advised to attend one of two informational webinars scheduled for January 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST and January 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST to better understand the application process. The program is open to a broad range of applicant types, including agricultural associations, industry and producer groups, community-based organizations, and academic institutions. A critical requirement is that all proposed projects must aim to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia. Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes that benefit the broader specialty crop industry or public, rather than solely supporting a specific entity. All applicants must comply with USDA and VDACS cost guidelines, which specify allowable and unallowable expenses. Resources such as budget examples and project profile templates are made available to assist applicants in preparing their submissions. While final funding amounts are contingent upon federal budget outcomes, all program timelines and processes are actively in place pending the release of the U.S. Farm Bill and USDA Notice of Funds Availability. For general questions regarding the grant program, applicants may contact Janelle Otieno, Grants Specialist, at [email protected] or 804.786.1495. Additional support is available from Melissa Ball, Special Projects Manager, at [email protected] or 804.786.5448. Awards are anticipated to be announced in September 2026, with full project funding expected to begin in October 2026.

Projects must benefit the broader public or industry and comply with USDA/VDACS guidelines. Focus on measurable outcomes and statewide impact.