Saffron Flowers
Photo submitted: 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)
LAS CRUCES – More than $500,000 in funding is now available to New Mexico producers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops. Eligible project areas include marketing, training, certification, food safety, pest management and plant health efforts that broadly benefit specialty crops. Producer groups, non-profits, trade associations and universities may apply. Projects cannot solely benefit a single organization, product or individual.
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.
Registration: https://nmsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/UrCzYjk0Sxmqb5_x5Kldjw
• Thursday, Dec. 9 at noon
Registration: https://nmsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/X_xYQGulTEe9Q7RE00hKMg
• Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7 a.m.
Registration: https://nmsu.zoom.us/j/81479704753
After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with meeting details. All applications must be submitted to NMDA by Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. A panel of experts and NMDA staff will review all submissions.
New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said the workshops are offered to make the process more accessible. “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 can request a one-on-one meeting by emailing [email protected] by Thursday, Dec. 11, and including a preferred date and time.
Program details and application information are available on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program webpage under “Additional Information.”