SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing about $630,000 to help pay for a dozen projects in Illinois intended to strengthen the specialty crop industry in the state.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture said Tuesday the grant will be used for projects that include a University of Illinois effort to improve produce handling at farmers markets and a social media campaign to inform people of specialty crop growers.

Other projects include a buy-local marketing campaign in grocery stores and farmers markets, and educational conferences for farmers.