LDAF to Receive More Than $461,000 in Federal Funding for Louisiana Specialty Crops

News

Press release

For immediate release: October 16, 2026

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) will receive $461,475.63 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to support nine projects focused on marketing, consumer education and outreach, and research benefiting Louisiana's specialty crop industries.

USDA announced Oct. 13 that it is awarding $86.6 million nationwide through the program, which supports projects designed to strengthen the competitiveness of specialty crops. The funding will support approximately 609 projects across 56 states and territories.

Louisiana's nine projects will address needs within the state's specialty crop industries through research, educational initiatives and marketing efforts. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticultural products and nursery crops. In Louisiana, these industries include producers of honey, pecans, citrus and mayhaw, along with other specialty crops that contribute to the state's agricultural diversity and rural economies.

“Louisiana's specialty crop producers contribute to the diversity and strength of our state's agricultural industry,” said Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. “This funding will help support research, promote Louisiana-grown products and provide educational opportunities that benefit our producers and consumers. By investing in these efforts, we can help our specialty crop industries address challenges, reach new markets and continue contributing to Louisiana's economy.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is administered by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. Funding supports projects that help producers address industry challenges, improve market opportunities, educate consumers and strengthen the specialty crop supply chain.

Through these projects, Louisiana will continue efforts to increase awareness of locally produced specialty crops, support research and development, and help producers strengthen their market presence.

For more information about the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, visit ams.usda.gov/services/grants.