The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) encourages specialty crop-related entities and farmers’ markets throughout the state to take advantage of federal funds aimed at supporting their efforts and organizations in 2012 and 2013.


Funding requests under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) are available in the range of $2,000 - $50,000 for activities and practices affecting the specialty crop industry including:
• increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption
• improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
• helping entities establish good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices
• investing in research such as enhancing food safety, developing new and improved seed varieties & specialty crops, pest and disease control and sustainability
• market promotion of qualified Indiana food & agricultural products

Applications must be submitted via email to ISDA by June 1st, 2012. Commissions, public entities, associations, and/or nonprofit organizations that represent specialty crops as defined by USDA in Indiana agriculture are eligible to apply.

Funding requests under the Farmers’ Market Cost-Share Reimbursement Program are available for up to $500 per organization for advertising, displays and promotional materials used to increase consumer awareness and overall appeal of Indiana farmers’ markets and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Farmers’ Market Directors or Market Masters with an established Farmers’ Market listed on ISDA’s website are eligible to apply. Funds will be paid to qualifying entities on a first come-first served basis.

Applications for both programs can be found on the ISDA Web site under Grants and Funding Opportunities.