The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given Illinois $630,000 to use to try to establish new markets for produce grown in the state.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture said Thursday the money is part of the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Acting Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider said in a news release the money will help improve the state's specialty crop sector. He called it a priority.

The state department will use the money to fund in-state specialty crop projects. Grant applications are being accepted by the department until March 15.

Proposed projects will need to meet one or more of a handful of criteria. They include increasing consumers' awareness and consumption of specialty crops and improving the distribution system for such crops.