Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

Objective

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) implements the Specialty Crop Block Grants through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by: (1) leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; (2) assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; (3) expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and (4) addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers. (5) for such other purposes determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with specialty crop stakeholders and relevant State departments of agriculture.

Who Can Apply

• U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states)
• U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)

Eligible entities for the SCBGP include the State department of agriculture, agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture within any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Eligible entities for SCMP are the same; however, non-Federal entities residing in nonparticipating States may apply for, compete, and if merited receive a grant directly from AMS.

Who Benefits

• State
• U.S. Territories

Producers, processors, growers, state agencies, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, and general public.

Assistance Types

• Grant

Program Contact

SCBlockGrants@usda.gov
202-260-8449