Kansas Department of Agriculture
The Kansas Department of Agriculture has been awarded $324,059.17 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Funds for the program are awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. According to the USDA, specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” Through a competitive application process, KDA has selected recipients to further utilize the funds.
The following is a list of Kansas projects that will be funded by the grant.
- Comprehensive Postharvest Hands-On Training for Kansas Specialty Crop Growers — Kansas State University will develop and deliver a tailored short course on postharvest management of specialty crops for Kansas growers. The overall goal of the project is to improve grower postharvest practices, reduce postharvest losses, and boost economic growth in the Kansas fruit and vegetable industry.
- Double Film Method for Large Scale Production of Vegetables in Winter Season Without Added Heat Source — Kansas State University will develop a method to grow vegetable crops in local subzero winter climate by studying a double layered low tunnel design using two films to control the micro climate of the inner tunnel. Temperature data will be recorded, and growth rates will be measured both in and out of the tunnels then detailed procedures including seeding, watering, fertilizing, growth duration and yield expectation will be formulated. The method will be further evaluated for its economic efficacy as well as food safety.
- Growing Community Through Kansas Specialty Crops — KC Farm School will increase awareness and consumption of Kansas-grown specialty crops through live farmers’ market cook-a-longs featuring specialty crops from regional farmers through their CSA co-op, Community Garden members, Let's Grow Wyandotte! members, the Wyandotte County Farmers Market Coalition, and the KC F.A.R.M.E.R.S Coalition.
- Increasing Consumption and Purchase of Specialty Crops Through the Expansion of Nutrition Education Programs to Children and Adults in Saline County — Prairieland Market will increase knowledge about the availability, purchase, preparation, cooking, and preservation of specialty crops by offering education programs to children and adults in Saline County. The classes will be promoted and offered twice per month to reach 60 children and 132 adults who will gain knowledge about specialty crops.
- Supporting Kansas Growers with Free Water Testing for Produce Safety Compliance — Kansas State University will provide free water testing for Kansas specialty crop growers to support compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule requirements. This work aims to address critical needs by continuing the free microbial testing of water samples for Kansas growers, a service that has been actively utilized since 2019. Offering free testing encourages growers to assess their water quality, thereby fostering a strong food safety culture.
- Weed Control in No-Till Dry Bean Production — Kansas State University will conduct research and develop recommendations for broadleaf weed control in pinto beans produced in no-till irrigated fields. They will communicate these recommendations to farmers and agronomy professionals through field days, grower meetings, and other outreach efforts.
In partnership with industry, the Kansas Department of Agriculture will also utilize Specialty Crop Block Grant funding to host a statewide conference in early 2027 focused on the business and production aspects of specialty crops in Kansas. The conference will be an educational event for specialty crop growers and stakeholders to gather, network, and grow in knowledge.
For more information, visit KDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/SpecialtyCropBlockGrant.