North Carolina -- January 20, 2026: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has announced that the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is now accepting grant proposals for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. With approximately $1.2 million typically available for funding, this program offers a vital boost to the state’s $111 billion agriculture industry.
“We are fortunate in North Carolina that our farmers can grow just about any crop, which means specialty crops are a significant part of North Carolina’s farm economy and one that we want to continue to see grow,” said Commissioner Troxler. “We are looking for strong proposals that focus on boosting specialty crop production.”
Eligible Organizations and Projects
The department is accepting grant requests of up to $200,000. To ensure the funds serve the broader agricultural community, grants are awarded to:
Nonprofits and Commodity Associations
State and Local Government Agencies
Colleges and Universities
Note: Individuals and for-profit businesses (including private farms) are not eligible to apply directly. Furthermore, projects must benefit the industry as a whole; grants are not available for projects that provide a profit to a single organization or individual.
What Defines a "Specialty Crop"?
Eligible projects must focus on crops defined by the USDA as specialty crops. This includes:
Fruits and Vegetables (NC is a national leader in sweet potatoes and trout)
Tree Nuts and Culinary Herbs
Medicinal Plants (such as ginseng, often found in Western NC)
Nursery, Floriculture, and Horticulture Crops (including the state's iconic Fraser fir Christmas trees)
Key Deadlines and Contact Information
Organizations interested in applying should take note of the following timeline:
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026: Deadline to submit a draft application for review and feedback from department staff.
Monday, March 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.: Final deadline for all completed application packets.
For full grant guidelines and to download the application, visit www.ncspecialtycrops.com/apply/. For specific questions, contact Program Administrator Jenni Keith at 919-707-3158 or via email at jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.
WNCTimes