Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCGBP)

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCGBP) 

 This program may have additional incentives or benefits for those who are underserved. Learn more about our terminology.

 

What is this program?

SCGBP enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops by funding projects to do the following:

• Leverage efforts to market and promote specialty crops
• Assist producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops
• Expand availability and access to specialty crops
• Address local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers

 

How can I use this program?

Programs that have been funded in the past include:

• Researching new cultivars
• Providing outreach opportunities on specialty crops to youth, families, seniors, and the overall community
• Marketing apples through a targeted promotional campaign

See the specific projects that were funded in 2022.

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Who or what is eligible and what are the eligibility requirements?

Eligible applicants include:

• Eligible applicants are state departments of agriculture* in the 50 States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands.
• A State department of agriculture is the agency, commission, or department of a state government responsible for agriculture within the State.

Eligible crops include:

• Specialty crops. Specifically, fruits and vegetables
• Dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)

Eligible projects must adhere to the following:

• Have a definitive beginning and end
• Have an overarching goal that the applicant wants to accomplish through a series of individual activities or tasks
• Enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets
• Must benefit more than one product or organization. The SCBGP will not award funds for projects that solely benefit a single commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. 

 

Are there any deadlines?

Visit the AMS SCBGP page for details on the next round of funding.

 

Is there anything else I should know?

• AMS encourages applications that benefit smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities.
• Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.
• States are encouraged to develop projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry: Enhancing food safety; Improving the capacity of entities to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act;  Investing in specialty crop research; Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; Pest and disease control; Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; and Sustainability.

 

How do I apply?

• Complete the Request for Applications (RFA) on Grants.gov and follow the AMS guidance.

 

 

 

Page last updated: March 21, 2023