Maryland Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Maryland Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), is a state-level reimbursement grant program designed to enhance the competitiveness of Maryland’s specialty crop sector. The funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farm Bill, and it supports a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the production, marketing, and accessibility of specialty crops across the state. Specialty crops, as defined by the USDA, include fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs and spices, honey, hops, grapes, maple syrup, Christmas trees, and nursery crops. For the 2026 cycle, MDA anticipates approximately $400,000 in total funding. Grants are competitively awarded, with a minimum request amount of $15,000 and a maximum based on past awards, which have ranged up to $140,000. These grants are designed to support projects that demonstrate the potential for substantial benefit to Maryland’s specialty crop industry. The program funds projects lasting up to two years, and all projects must be completed no later than November 15, 2028. It is important to note that indirect costs are not allowable under this grant. The funds are subject to USDA’s General Terms and Conditions, effective as of December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities, for-profit entities, and other institutions involved in Maryland agriculture. Applicants must either be Maryland residents or have business or educational affiliations based in Maryland. For-profit and nonprofit entities must provide verification of their status upon award. Projects submitted by individuals must demonstrate broad benefit to similar producers or industry segments and be aligned with the priorities of the specialty crop industry. Letters of support from at least three specialty crop producers and relevant crop organizations are required, affirming the alignment with industry priorities. Program priorities for this funding cycle were developed based on a survey conducted by MDA among Maryland's specialty crop industries. These priorities, listed in order of importance, include increasing consumption and consumer purchasing of specialty crops, improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of distribution systems, enhancing pest and disease control, expanding research and development, increasing food safety knowledge, and developing new seed varieties and specialty crops. Proposals that address one or more of these priorities are especially encouraged. Applications must be submitted electronically via Maryland OneStop by Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted. There is no pre-application requirement such as a Letter of Intent or Concept Paper for this cycle. Proposals will be reviewed by the SCBGP program manager and an internal review committee to assess alignment with program goals, potential impact, and priority relevance. For more information or questions about the application process, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the program administrator, Karen Fedor, at [email protected] or by phone at 410-841-5773. Additional inquiries may be directed to Lauren Moses at [email protected] or 410-841-5888. More information, including relevant guidelines and terms, is available on the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s website.

Align proposals with listed priorities such as consumer access, crop efficiency, and food safety for strongest consideration.