Photo: Rusty Halvorson, KFGO Ag News
BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has announced that grants are available to support the creation of permanent community orchards in underserved areas to increase community access to and consumer education of specialty crops.
“I encourage community development groups, economic councils, schools, nonprofits, 4-H and FFA chapters to apply,” Goehring said. “Funds can be used to purchase plants, trees, planting supplies, soil amendments, irrigation and fencing supplies.”
There is $120,000 available for the grants and organizations can ask for $40,000 or more. The grants are available on a competitive basis and will be scored on community impact, location priorities, community participation and support, education and outreach, funding priorities, long-term sustainability and budget. Applicants will need at least one letter of support from a community partner or organization.
Grant funds cannot be used to purchase land, permanent structures or for capital expenditures. Grant funds are for new projects and not the continuation of existing projects.
Application forms for the grants are available on the NDDA website. Applications are due by Friday, June 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. Selected applications will be notified by June 19, 2026. Project periods will start July 1, 2026, and organizations will have until June 30, 2027, to make purchases for reimbursement.
Questions about the grant program should be directed to Jenna Nieters, local foods marketing specialist at jnieters@nd.gov or 701-328-2659.
The Specialty Crop Community Orchard Grant is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
NDDA news release
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