Idaho Awards $1.77 Million to Specialty Crop Projects

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture funded 17 projects in 2026 through a USDA-backed grant program.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Organic Food

Idaho Awards $1.77 Million to Specialty Crop Projects

Live Poll

Should state government fund farm research and marketing grants for Idaho's specialty crops?

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture awarded $1.77 million to 17 specialty crop projects in 2026 through the USDA-funded Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding supports research, marketing and trade efforts across the state's specialty crop sector.

Why it matters

The awards extend a program that has allocated almost $26 million to 244 projects since 2009, aiming to strengthen Idaho's specialty crops. Projects range from potato disease control to wine marketing, reflecting the diversity of the state's agricultural output.

The Idaho Eastern Oregon Onion Committee received $70,000 for irrigation research and $80,000 for marketing, while Boise State University received $130,000 for non-thermal plasma plant disease research. Project results have not yet been reported.

The players

Idaho State Department of Agriculture

The state agency administers the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in Idaho, which funds agricultural research, marketing, and trade projects.

University of Idaho

The state's land-grant university received several grants for research on potato disease, sprout control, and huckleberry propagation.

Boise State University

The public university in Boise received funding to study non-thermal plasma technology for controlling plant diseases in the seed industry.

The details

Projects include University of Idaho research on Potato virus Y in seed potatoes, alternative potato sprout control and huckleberry propagation, plus a Mid Snake Resource Conservation and Development Council study of sterile male codling moth releases. Funding also supports the Idaho Bean Commission's seed quality work and Idaho wine marketing, including an introduction to Japan.

2009: The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program began allocating funds to projects.
2026: The Idaho State Department of Agriculture awarded $1.77 million to 17 projects.

Season Trajectory

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has directed nearly $26 million to 244 projects since 2009, and the 2026 round continues that pattern. Idaho's latest awards add to a long-running federal effort to support state specialty crop industries.

Idaho consumers may see more locally grown potatoes, beans, onions, and wine as these projects address disease control, seed quality, and market access. Specific product availability is not stated in the source.

The takeaway

Support for specialty crops through federal and state grants can strengthen local food production and seed quality. Consumers interested in regional produce can watch for new varieties and marketing efforts from Idaho growers.