USDA Announces $275 Million in Specialty Crop Funding

Investments will support research, marketing, and automation for America's specialty crop producers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:35am

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the availability of more than $275 million in grant funding in FY2026 for the specialty crop industry in the United States through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP).

Why it matters

This major investment in specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops, comes at a time when consumer demand for whole, nutritious foods is growing. The funding will help America's specialty crop producers stay competitive and innovative through research, marketing, and automation.

The details

The USDA is able to provide $175 million per year for SCRI, more than double the previous amount of $80 million per year, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts. The tax cuts also increased total funding available for SCBGP and SCMP from $85 million per year to $100 million per year starting in FY2026. For the first time ever, the SCRI program will set aside at least $20 million to fund research and development into mechanization and automation technologies to help reduce labor costs for specialty crop producers.

  • The funding will be available in FY2026.
  • Earlier this year, USDA announced $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program.

The players

Brooke L. Rollins

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who announced the availability of the specialty crop funding.

Tom Barrett

Congressman who helped deliver tax relief and investments for Michigan agriculture in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

The agency tasked with implementing the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI).

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

The agency that implements the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP).

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What they’re saying

“The Working Families Tax Cuts provided the largest investment in American agriculture, including boosting support for America's specialty crop producers. At a time when more Americans are demanding whole, nutritious foods aligned with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, at USDA we are ensuring the farmers who grow these foods have the tools necessary to continue their operations.”

— Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

“I was proud to deliver tax relief and real investments for Michigan agriculture in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, including in research, education, and marketing for our state's many specialty crops. I'm grateful to Secretary Rollins for launching the next round of funding here in Michigan, where our farmers produce more than 300 agricultural commodities, and our scientists lead the way in agricultural research. These investments will ensure Michigan farms stay on the cutting edge as they grow crops to feed America and the world.”

— Tom Barrett, Congressman

What’s next

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for SCRI will be released soon, setting aside at least $20 million to fund research and development into mechanization and automation technologies for the specialty crop industry.

The takeaway

This major new investment in specialty crops comes at a critical time when consumer demand for whole, nutritious foods is growing. The funding will help America's specialty crop producers stay competitive and innovative through research, marketing, and automation, ensuring they can continue to feed the nation and the world.