Description
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a grant program that provides funding to State departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The program is authorized under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and is implemented by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program provides funding for projects that benefit the specialty crop industry, including projects that improve food safety, increase child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, and enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories. The program encourages State departments of agriculture to develop projects through a competitive review process and to notify successful and unsuccessful grant applicants about the outcome of the competitive process.
Some key points to consider:
• The program provides approximately $72.4 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs.
• Projects must be completed within 3 years.
• The grant period must begin no later than September 30, 2020, and end no later than September 29, 2023.
• Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories.
• The program encourages State departments of agriculture to develop projects through a competitive review process.
• The program requires recipients to report on the outcomes of their projects and to provide performance measures.