Mississippi Accepting Proposals for Specialty Crop Grants

Funding available to boost competitiveness of state's specialty crop industry

Feb. 23, 2026 at 7:56pm

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The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is accepting proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry. The grants support efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assist producers with research and development, expand access and availability, and address challenges facing specialty crop producers.

Why it matters

The specialty crop industry is an important part of Mississippi's agriculture sector, accounting for over $201 million in 2025. These grants provide funding to support initiatives that can boost the competitiveness and growth of specialty crop producers in the state.

The details

Eligible applicants include producer groups, nonprofits, colleges and universities. Past projects funded through the program have included school garden grants, marketing campaigns, food safety improvements, research into new crop varieties, and grower education. Funding will not be awarded for projects that solely benefit a single commercial product or provide profit to one organization.

  • The application deadline is April 1, 2026.

The players

Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

The state agency overseeing the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in Mississippi.

Andy Gipson

Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Susan Lawrence

The contact person at MDAC for information on the grant program.

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What they’re saying

“The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, aims to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi's specialty crop industry.”

— Andy Gipson, Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

What’s next

The application deadline for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is April 1, 2026. Interested applicants can find more information and application materials on the MDAC website or by contacting Susan Lawrence.

The takeaway

These grants provide important funding to support the growth and competitiveness of Mississippi's specialty crop producers, which is a significant part of the state's agricultural economy. The program aims to address challenges facing specialty crop growers through initiatives like marketing, research, and education.