More than $800,000 is available to help educate, promote, and research specialty crops in Arizona through specialty crop grants from federal funding available from the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA).

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops. 

“We have a rich combination of farmers and producers in our state, and many people don’t realize it,” said Mark Killian, ADA director.

“This grant funding can help our industry educate people around the state, the country, and the world about the vast diversity of specialty crops grown in Arizona.”

The grants are available to associations, educational institutions, and state, local, or community-based organizations.

Grant applications must be received by ADA no later than 11:59:59 p.m. (MST) on April 18, 2016. 

Eligible projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops either in the U.S. or internationally. The projects must benefit more than one commercial product (e.g., ABC Company brand), organization, or individual.

Successful projects must also perform one of the new national outcome measures. These measures and other information are available in the 2016 Specialty Crop Grant Program Manual.

Other online resources include the instructions for downloading application packets and submitting grant application packets on-line.

For additional information, contact Lisa James at (602) 542-3262 and [email protected].