New Jersey Agricultural Society
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WHAT IS A SPECIALTY CROP?
Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended under section 10010 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79 (the Farm Bill) defines specialty crops as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops. Processed products shall consist of greater than 50% of the specialty crop by weight, exclusive
​of added water.

A detailed definition of specialty crops (pdf) was also developed for the purposes of this program and other U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture

Specialty Crop Definition (USDA)
The New Jersey Agricultural Society has received funding as part of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to promote
​the competitiveness of specialty crops through several grants which have funded these projects: New Jersey Agricultural Leadership, Fresh Produce Education and Marketing, School Garden Education, New Jersey Agriculture Book for Elementary Schools, and Culinary/Nutrition Education. 

Specialty Crop Resources

Algae
Chickpeas
Christmas trees
Cocoa
Coffee
Cut flowers
Dry edible beans
Dry peas
Dried Fruits
Foliage
Floriculture
Fruits, including grapes for wine
Garlic
​
Ginger root
Ginseng
​Herbs

Honey


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Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ultra-Niche Program
Crop Profiles, Virtual Field Trips, Food Safety and SWOT Worksheets for Specialty Crop Producers
Hops
Kava
Lavender
Lentils
Maple syrup
Mushrooms
​Nursery Crops

Organic fruits and vegetables
Peppermint
Potatoes
Seaweed
Spearmint
Sweet Corn
Sweet Sorghum for human consumption
Tree Nuts

Vanilla
Vegetables and Vegetable seeds

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Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. NJAS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN 21-0634544.
New Jersey Agricultural Society  •  (609) 462-9691  •  [email protected]
1200 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505