FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Jenny Green
Public Affairs Specialist
jgreen@nmda.nmsu.edu | Cell: 575-202-4249

Nov. 17, 2025

$500,000 in USDA specialty crop funding available for NM

NMDA to hold workshops in December in advance of Feb. 14 proposal deadline

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – More than $500,000 in funding is available to New Mexico producers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA).

The USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops. Projects should focus on marketing, training, certification, food safety, pest control or plant health that benefit specialty crops broadly.

Producer groups, non-profits, trade associations and universities are eligible applicants. Projects cannot solely benefit a single organization, product or individual.

Three bright purple flowers with yellow and orange centers bloom out of the ground. — The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is holding three virtual workshops in December in preparation for the Feb. 14 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program proposal deadline. Saffron flowers are considered a specialty crop by the United States Department of Agriculture. (Envato Elements stock photo)

To help applicants prepare for the Feb. 14, 2026 proposal deadline, NMDA will host three virtual outreach workshops in December:

Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m.
Register in advance for this meeting at:
https://nmsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/UrCzYjk0Sxmqb5_x5Kldjw

Thursday, Dec. 9 at noon
Register in advance for this meeting at:
https://nmsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/X_xYQGulTEe9Q7RE00hKMg

Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7 a.m.
Register in advance for this meeting at:
https://nmsu.zoom.us/j/81479704753

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with meeting details. Applications must be submitted to NMDA by Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. A panel of experts and NMDA staff will review all submissions.

A bushy chickpea plant with many green stems on a burlap sack on a wooden surface. — The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is holding three virtual workshops in December in preparation for the Feb. 14 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program proposal deadline. Chickpeas are considered a specialty crop by the United States Department of Agriculture. (Envato Elements stock photo)

New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte encourages eligible producers to take advantage of the free workshops.

“I encourage anyone eligible to apply for this grant to take advantage of the free workshops we are offering,” Witte said. “Our team is ready to help guide applicants through the process so no one in New Mexico’s agriculture community misses out on this opportunity.”

Those unable to attend a workshop may request a one-on-one meeting by emailing specialtycrops@nmda.nmsu.edu by Thursday, Dec. 11, and including a preferred date and time.

For program details and to apply, visit the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program webpage and scroll to “Additional Information.”

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$500,000 in USDA specialty crop funding available for NM