Specialty crops such as tree nuts, dried fruits and honey stand to get a boost from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced last week that his department is seeking concept proposals for the grant program through March 1. Kentucky receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service and then conducts an annual competitive application process to award grant funds.

“This funding is intended for projects that make Kentucky specialty crops more competitive in both domestic and foreign markets,” Quarles said in a news release. “Specialty crops make up a significant part of Kentucky’s agricultural economy, and there is plenty of room for growth.”

Authorized on the federal level in 2004, the specialty crop grant program has pumped more than $2 million into promoting Kentucky specialty crops. Last year, Kentucky awarded $287,372 for eight projects.

One of the projects awarded in recent years, called “Kentucky Farms, Kentucky Flavor,” is a partnership between the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and the Warren County Agricultural Foundation.

It has helped a number of local farmers, according to Warren County Extension Office Agriculture Agent Joanna Coles.

Coles said the project led to the creation of a website, kentuckyfarmskentucky flavor.org, that has 24 videos introducing local farmers and such specialty crops as pumpkins, squash, peaches and raspberries.

“The videos are stories about visiting different farms,” Coles said. “One of the most popular was one about a farmer in Butler County who grows figs. He sold out of figs, so we’re seeing some success stories.”

Coles said her office and local farmers are participating in another project called “Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud,” which is funded through the specialty crop grant program.

A partnership between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the UK School of Human Environmental Services, the “Plate It Up” project involves UK culinary arts students developing healthy recipes using Kentucky-grown products.

“With all the seasonal fruits and vegetables we have in Kentucky, this is another great project,” Coles said. “I feel like the block grants program has been successful.”

Applicants for the grants should describe how the project potentially affects and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and the public.

For more information about the specialty crop grants, visit kyagr.com/ marketing/crop-block-grant.html or call 502-782-4115.

– Follow business reporter Don Sergent on Twitter @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.