Tennessee Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Tennessee Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is a state-administered grant program funded by the USDA and run by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. It provides competitive project grants to organizations, producer groups, and businesses working on projects that strengthen Tennessee's specialty crop industry.

Specialty crops generally include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Under this program, funding supports projects related to marketing, research, and market access aimed at increasing the competitiveness of these crops within the state. This is not direct aid to individual farms for operating costs — it funds specific projects that benefit the broader specialty crop industry in Tennessee.

For a small business owner in agriculture, food production, or a related specialty crop field, this program can be a source of project-based funding to support initiatives like new marketing campaigns, research studies, or efforts to open new markets for Tennessee-grown specialty crops. Because it is a competitive grant, not every application is funded, and projects are typically evaluated against program priorities set by the state.

The award amount is described only as 'competitive project grants, varies' — no specific dollar floor or ceiling is provided in the available information, so applicants should confirm current funding levels directly with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Similarly, the deadline is listed only as 'check current rounds,' meaning application windows open periodically and interested parties need to monitor the official state site for the current cycle.

Because program details such as exact funding amounts, eligibility specifics, and deadlines can change from year to year, anyone interested in applying should confirm all current details directly at the official Tennessee Department of Agriculture website before preparing an application.