Hawai‘i Specialty Crop Grant Program Accepting Applications

The state is offering those who produce specialty crops a chance to get some financial assistance to do so.

The state Department of Agriculture’s Market Development Branch is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The department will award a total of $500,000 to proposals that enhance the competitiveness of Hawai‘i specialty crops.

The goal of the grant program is to support projects that could provide the highest measurable benefits or return-on-investment to the specialty crop segment in Hawai‘i. Preference will be given to projects that can measurably increase production and/or consumption of specialty crops and/or foster the development of fledging crops and organic operations.

Specialty crops are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Much of the state’s agriculture falls under specialty crop designation. Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used for food, medicine and/or aesthetic purposes.

Information about the request for proposals can be found here. Application deadline is noon June 24.

Those interested in the grant can take part in a Zoom meeting to review application procedures and ask questions. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 31. To join, use this link. The meeting ID is 936 7148 9327 and the passcode is HDOAMDB.

Last year, the DOA awarded a total of $430,600 to 10 projects ranging from pest management in coffee production and floriculture marketing to ti leaf propagation and programs that help cultivate crops including taro, mamaki, cacao, Chinese and mustard cabbage and tomatoes.

For more information about the grant program, click here.