News

Illinois Ag Dept. seeks specialty crop grant proposals

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for federal specialty crop grants.  Illinois is getting about $600,000 from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to enhance the competitiveness of Illinois-grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets.

Farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-sponsored agriculture programs can submit grant proposals until May 1^st.

The 2012 Census of Agriculture says 106,000 acres of Illinois farmland on 3,200 farms are devoted to specialty crops.  Illinois is the nation’s leading producer of pumpkins and horseradish.  It’s among the top ten states in acreage of cantaloupes, green peas, lima beans, and sweet corn. Illinois is also home to about 1,200 acres of vineyards.  Illinois specialty crop sales totaled almost $470 million in 2012.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.