MDAC opens specialty crop grant applications
JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is now accepting proposals for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Commissioner Andy Gipson announced Monday.
The federally funded program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill, supports projects that strengthen the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop sector. Eligible initiatives may focus on marketing and promotion, research and development, expanding access to specialty crops, or addressing challenges facing producers at the local, regional, or national level.
Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, and floriculture. These commodities accounted for more than $201 million of Mississippi’s agriculture economy in 2025.
Past funded projects have ranged from school garden programs and statewide marketing campaigns to food‑safety training, honey bee health research, optical imaging for sweet potato and blueberry packing lines, and high‑tunnel crop trials.
Eligible applicants include producer groups, associations, non‑profits, colleges, and universities. Projects that solely benefit a single commercial product or individual entity are not eligible, though organizations may participate as partners.
Applications are due April 1, 2026. Forms and instructions are available in the “Alerts and Announcements” section at mdac.ms.gov. Applicants may also contact Susan Lawrence at 601‑213‑7542 or susan@mdac.ms.gov.
