WSDA receives $4.7 million in Specialty Crop Block Grant funds
OLYMPIA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Washington state over $4 million to support specialty crops in 2026 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are plants people use for food, medicinal purposes and/or decoration. Many commodities are considered specialty crops. A full list can be found here.
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) received $4.7 million in grant funding to support 21 projects in 2026. Projects will work to expand markets and increase consumer demand for Washington-grown products, help farmers improve production practices, develop new crops and build more resilient farm businesses. Funded research will also address challenges such as pest and disease management, soil health, heat stress, pollination and food safety, while providing growers with practical tools, training and research-based recommendations to support long-term productivity and profitability.
“Washington’s specialty crop growers face evolving challenges, from changing market demands to emerging production issues,” said WSDA Director Derek Sandison. “These projects help turn research, new ideas and collaboration into practical solutions that support growers and strengthen our agricultural industry. By investing in this work, we’re helping ensure Washington producers have the tools and knowledge to succeed.”
USDA, which has supported Washington’s specialty crops for two decades, approved and announced the final specialty crop project list earlier this month.
For questions regarding Washington state’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program requirements or eligibility, please email or call program manager Leisa Schumaker at Leisa.Schumaker@agr.wa.gov.
Grant awardees can be found on the WSDA website and include:
- USDA ARS
- Northwest Cider Association
- Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service
- WA State Wine Commission
- Organic Seed Alliance
- Grow Food DBA Viva Farms
- AgroForestry Northwest
- Washington State University
- Kulshan Carbon Trust
- Center for Produce Safety
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