Title X Explained: Specialty Crops, Organic, and Farmers Markets

TL;DR: Title X of H.R. 7567 (the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026) reauthorizes the core horticulture and organic programs from the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, and the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. Final funding levels for all three programs are to be confirmed as of May 2026.

Key takeaway

Title X reauthorizes federal support for specialty crop growers, certified organic producers, and farmers market operators, but final mandatory funding levels for the three main programs remain to be confirmed.

What this section does

Title X of H.R. 7567 covers horticulture and organic agriculture. It reauthorizes programs that channel federal dollars to fruit and vegetable growers, nut producers, nursery operations, certified organic farmers, and the direct marketing infrastructure, such as farmers markets and food hubs, that connect those producers to consumers. The title is the primary vehicle in the full bill for commodities that fall outside the major row crops addressed in other titles.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is the largest program in the title. It distributes formula-based grants to state departments of agriculture, which then fund state and local projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The 2018 Farm Bill funded SCBGP at $85 million per year in mandatory spending. Whether H.R. 7567 increases, maintains, or cuts that baseline is a central contested point; the exact 2026 figure is to be confirmed.

The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) is also reauthorized. SCRI funds applied research on production systems, plant breeding, and food safety for specialty crops, with grants flowing through USDA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) to universities and research institutions.

On the organic side, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) is reauthorized. OREI funds research on organic production practices, pest management, and transition from conventional to organic farming. The 2018 Farm Bill ramped OREI mandatory funding up to $50 million per year by fiscal year 2023. The 2026 bill is reported to either maintain or modestly increase that level, reflecting growth in certified organic acreage, which exceeded 5 million acres nationally in recent USDA surveys. The exact figure for H.R. 7567 is to be confirmed.

The National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program continues under the title. It reimburses certified organic producers and handlers for a portion of their annual organic certification fees, reducing a recurring out-of-pocket cost for operations that hold or pursue USDA organic certification. The treatment of reimbursement caps and eligible expenses relative to 2018 levels is to be confirmed.

The Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives program is reauthorized in some form, directing USDA to collect and publish data on organic sales and markets, which supports business planning and policy analysis.

The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) continues as a competitive grant program for farmers market operators, food hubs, and local food system businesses. The 2018 Farm Bill consolidated two predecessor programs into FMLFPP and funded it at $30 million per year. H.R. 7567 appears to keep that consolidated structure. Updated grant priorities for the 2026 reauthorization are to be confirmed.

Plant pest and disease management provisions support cooperative agreements between USDA and state agencies for early detection and response to threats affecting specialty crops. These provisions appear largely continuous with the 2018 structure, with no major structural overhaul widely reported. You can compare this title against 2018 provisions in the whats-new-vs-2018 section of this site.

What it means

For specialty crop growers, including fruit and vegetable farmers, nut growers, and nursery and floriculture operations, reauthorization of SCBGP and SCRI means continued access to state-administered competitive grants and federally funded research. These programs are the primary federal investment in a sector that does not receive the direct payment support that major commodity crops receive under other titles.

For certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic, OREI reauthorization sustains a research pipeline focused specifically on organic systems. Cost-share reimbursements help offset annual certification fees, which can run hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on operation size and certifier. Organic transition support provisions are reported to be under discussion, but whether a dedicated transition assistance program is expanded or trimmed is to be confirmed.

For farmers market operators, food hubs, and local food entrepreneurs, FMLFPP grants remain the primary federal funding source for infrastructure, marketing capacity, and outreach. Food hubs, which aggregate and distribute locally produced food from multiple farms, are explicitly eligible under the program.

State departments of agriculture play an important administrative role. They receive and disburse SCBGP funding and carry reporting responsibilities that flow back to USDA. See the funding-breakdown page for context on how mandatory and discretionary dollars move through USDA to end recipients.

What's next

As of May 2026, the final mandatory funding levels for SCBGP, OREI, and FMLFPP are to be confirmed. Budget reconciliation pressures are a reported point of tension, with specialty crop advocates seeking funding increases while broader fiscal constraints push in the other direction. This is an unresolved question heading into any Senate action.

USDA rulemaking will be required after enactment to update grant application requirements and performance metrics under any revised program structures. Producers and market operators should expect a gap between enactment and new grant cycles opening.

Whether produce safety or Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) related provisions will be added or strengthened in any conference process remains an open question. The 2026 bill may introduce or expand specialty crop food safety language, but specific new provisions are to be confirmed. Track Senate action at the senate-status page for updates on whether those provisions advance. The timeline-and-status page also tracks the bill's overall progress toward enactment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and who can apply?

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) distributes formula-based federal grants to state departments of agriculture. States then run their own competitive grant processes for projects that enhance specialty crop competitiveness. Individual producers, grower associations, universities, and nonprofits can apply to their state department of agriculture. The federal government funds the program; states administer it. The 2018 Farm Bill funded SCBGP at $85 million per year; the 2026 figure is to be confirmed.

What counts as a "specialty crop" for farm bill purposes?

Specialty crops are defined by USDA to include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). This definition explicitly excludes the major commodity crops covered in other Farm Bill titles, such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice. Mushrooms and honey are also included under USDA's specialty crop definition.

How does the Farm Bill help farmers get or keep their organic certification?

The National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program reimburses certified organic producers and handlers for a portion of their annual certification costs. Reimbursements are paid through USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) via state agencies. Separately, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) funds research on organic production practices, which can help producers improve yields and manage pests within organic system rules. Exact reimbursement caps for the 2026 bill are to be confirmed.

Can a small farmers market apply for federal funding under Title X?

Yes. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) offers competitive grants to farmers market operators, community supported agriculture networks, food hubs, and other local food enterprises. Applicants apply directly to USDA rather than through state agencies. Grant priorities, eligible activities, and application cycles are set by USDA rulemaking. Updated priorities for the 2026 reauthorization are to be confirmed; producers and market managers should monitor USDA grant announcements after enactment.

How does OREI research money actually reach farmers?

OREI grants flow from USDA through a competitive grant process to land-grant universities, research institutions, and in some cases producer organizations. Funded projects must address organic production, pest management, or transition practices. Results are typically disseminated through extension networks, published research, and producer outreach. Individual farmers do not apply directly to OREI but benefit through improved agronomic knowledge and extension recommendations developed with OREI funding.

Did H.R. 7567 increase or cut horticulture funding compared to the 2018 Farm Bill?

The answer is to be confirmed as of May 2026. The 2018 Farm Bill set SCBGP at $85 million per year, OREI at $50 million per year (by FY2023), and FMLFPP at $30 million per year. H.R. 7567 is reported to at least reauthorize these programs, but whether final mandatory funding levels rise, hold steady, or are reduced is a contested and unresolved question. Budget reconciliation pressures are a reported factor in the outcome.

Sources

• House Agriculture Committee , H.R. 7567 section summaries and press materials, 2026.
• Congressional Research Service , Background reports on SCBGP, OREI, and FMLFPP, various dates.
• USDA Agricultural Marketing Service , Organic certification cost-share program documentation and organic acreage survey data.