USDA announces $275 million specialty crop funding boost

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced more than $275 million in fiscal 2026 funding for the U.S. specialty crop sector, backed by the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. The funding will be distributed through key programs including the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program.

Under the new framework, annual funding for research initiatives will more than double to $175 million, while combined support for block grants and multi-state programs will rise to $100 million. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture will oversee research funding, including a new $20 million allocation focused on mechanization and automation to reduce labor costs, while the Agricultural Marketing Service will administer grants aimed at improving marketing, education, and competitiveness.

The announcement follows an earlier USDA commitment of $1 billion in 2026 through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program, underscoring a broader federal push to strengthen domestic production of fruits, vegetables, and other high-value crops.