By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has secured nearly $852,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The funding will support 13 projects focused on strengthening Nebraska's specialty crop industry through research, outreach and innovation.
The SCBGP was created to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, horticultural products and nursery crops. State agriculture agencies can apply for funding and distribute grants to projects that benefit growers and related industries.
In 2026, USDA invested more than $1 billion in over 12,400 projects nationwide. These initiatives support market expansion, food safety improvements, new crop development, sustainability efforts and solutions to pest and disease challenges.
For the 2026 funding cycle, Nebraska received $851,946.25 to support projects aimed at improving crop productivity and profitability. Several initiatives focus on dryland agriculture in western Nebraska, including research on pea production, food-grade winter pea varieties and cowpea performance.
Additional projects will explore ways to improve crop yields and resilience. Researchers will evaluate nutrient management strategies, drought-tolerance solutions, biostimulant effectiveness and sustainability practices that can help growers make informed management decisions.
Weed, pest and disease management are also key priorities under the funding program. Research efforts will target Japanese beetle control, herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth management, seed-feeding pests in confection sunflowers, kochia control and rust-resistant sweet corn development.
The grants will also support industry development through a trade show initiative for Nebraska specialty crop associations. The effort is designed to create networking, educational and market-development opportunities for growers and industry partners.
Together, the 13 funded projects highlight Nebraska's commitment to advancing specialty crop production through research and collaboration. The investments are expected to improve crop performance, sustainability and long-term competitiveness for producers across the state.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture