State officials are opening up nearly $400,000 in funding for Indiana groups trying to create new markets for specialty crops ranging from Christmas trees to ginseng.

The State Department of Agriculture says the grants will go to organizations that represent growers of more than 30 specialty crops.

Those crops include ginger root, ginseng, seaweed and vanilla. But the list also includes more familiar crops such as Christmas trees, cut flowers and sweet corn.

The money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture can be used for marketing and promotional campaigns and other uses but none of it can go toward administrative costs.

Grants will range from $2,000 to $30,000 for qualified projects. The grant deadline is Aug. 7.