Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has selected six projects to receive a total of $336,560 in funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program supports efforts to strengthen and expand Arkansas’s specialty crop industry.

“These projects reflect the innovation and collaboration that continue to move Arkansas’s specialty crop industry forward,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “We’re proud to administer this program in Arkansas and support research and marketing efforts that help producers grow their operations and bring more Arkansas-grown products to consumers.”

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts. Projects selected for funding this year are as follows:

- Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association: Promoting Arkansas-grown blackberries through social media campaigns and promotional events to increase consumer awareness and sales.
- Arkansas Department of Agriculture: Expanding opportunities for Arkansas specialty crop and value-added producers to connect with buyers and expand their market reach.
- Arkansas Pecan Growers Association: Developing a statewide marketing plan, website, and promotional materials to help pecan growers expand wholesale and retail partnerships.
- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture: Developing best management practices for Neopestalotiopsis, an emerging strawberry disease, and providing growers with research-based control guidance.
- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture: Evaluating an annual blackberry production system to determine its commercial feasibility and share results with growers.
- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture: Supporting the growth of the fresh-market muscadine grape industry through on-farm evaluations, pest-management research, and outreach for growers.

The Department received applications requesting more than $1.79 million in total funding, reflecting a highly competitive selection process. Projects were evaluated and selected by a review panel of industry representatives and experts based on purpose, measurable outcomes, implementation plans, and budget.

Learn more about the SCBGP on USDA's website here.