Thanks to funding allocated in the Specialty Crop Block Grant program in the federal Farm Bill, the Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to distribute more than $545,000 over a three-year period in an effort to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry.

Applications are now being accepted by the IDOA and are due by March 22, 2024.

Additional information, including eligible applicants and how IDOA is encouraging further expansion of this industry, can be found in the full NEWS RELEASE (February 8, 2024).