Charleston, W.Va. — Eight West Virginia agribusinesses, organizations and agencies will share in over $360,000 in FY2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA). The USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The grants will help fund projects across West Virginia that strengthen the state’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.

“Specialty crops offer tremendous opportunities for West Virginia agriculture, particularly as we look for ways to expand and diversify production,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “These grants support important research, education, and innovation that can lead to improved growing practices, new products, and expanded markets for West Virginia specialty crops.”

The FY2026 Specialty Crop Block Grants were awarded to:

• West Virginia State University Research and Development Corp (WVSU) ($15,053.88): WVSU will valorize and familiarize a local and nutritious fruit, pawpaw (Asimina triloba), by optimizing the freeze-drying process of pulps, developing value-added food products and organizing a community event to promote awareness and knowledge of the community about the native fruit.
• West Virginia Military Authority ($50,000.00): Patriot Guardens will implement a two-year integrated education and applied research initiative focused on optimizing herb production across hydroponic, aeroponic, and soil-based growing systems. The project will provide hands-on and Zoom-based training to veterans, military family members, and community participants, delivering 23 practical courses that build skills in herb cultivation, system management, and harvest practices.
• West Virginia University (WVU) ($14,954.43): WVU, with support from 4-H volunteers, will lead a two‑year 4-H specialty crop education program designed to launch a youth food-based business. This youth entrepreneurship project will establish a community Youth Garden, train participants in specialty crop production, food safety and preservation practices, brand and label development, and small-scale market readiness.
• Linwood Alive ($35,500.00): Linwood Alive will enhance the competitiveness of West Virginia specialty crops by establishing a health department-approved commercial kitchen to serve as a value-added processing hub.
  West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) ($74,971.88): WVDA will establish an integrated greenhouse–laboratory research platform to reduce fungal disease pressure and prevent emerging mycotoxin contamination in specialty crops, specifically tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.
• Yew Mountain Center (YMC) ($49,250.00): YMC will expand agritourism and forest farmer education in West Virginia by developing replicable, place-based and online training resources focused on specialty forest crops, increasing public awareness, producer skills, and economic opportunities for forest farmers and related non-timber forest product businesses.
• West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, Inc. (WVFFC) ($50,166.67): The WVFFC will lead a statewide initiative to strengthen the competitiveness and long-term viability of specialty crop producers using organic, regenerative, natural, and other sustainable production practices. The project will expand coordinated technical assistance and bulk purchasing support for small and mid-scale specialty crop farms, particularly those who are engaged in or want to engage in sustainable, regenerative, organics, or natural production practices.
• West Virginia Farmers Market Association Inc. (WVFMA) ($31,762.76): The WVFMA will operate a two-season pilot program statewide. WVFMA will train growers and data liaisons; collect matched early-, peak-, and late-season transaction, crop-availability, and inventory information in 2027 and 2028; and then translate the information into public education so consumers can better understand what specialty crops are available across the eligible shopping season. Data will also help growers and direct-market businesses plan production, market timing, and customer retention.

For more information, contact Maggie Blankenship in the WVDA Business Development Division at mblankenship@wvda.us or 304-558-2210.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.