Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC), is a federally funded initiative established under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and reauthorized through the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). The program is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS), with the express purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops. These crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. The FY2026 grant cycle offers funds to implement projects that support the specialty crop sector in Mississippi through research, marketing, outreach, and education. The SCBGP strictly funds projects that deliver measurable outcomes and collective benefits for the specialty crop industry. Individual farms, businesses, or organizations are not eligible for grants that serve only their profit-making interests. However, individuals and single organizations are encouraged to participate in partnerships as part of broader project teams. Eligible applicants include state and local organizations, non-profits, universities, producer associations, and community groups. MDAC emphasizes the importance of industry support, requiring that proposals include at least one letter of support demonstrating grower-driven backing. All projects must align with USDA-approved outcome indicators, and applicants must report quantifiable metrics in annual and final performance reports. Allowable project areas include, but are not limited to, food safety enhancement, pest and disease control, research and development, market expansion, development of new seed varieties, and sustainability initiatives. Importantly, funds may not be used for startup farms, personal profit ventures, general equipment purchases, or activities that do not solely enhance specialty crop competitiveness. Multi-state projects are encouraged when they address cross-jurisdictional challenges and may be submitted either under SCBGP or through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. The program has no federal cost-sharing or matching requirement, though applicants may voluntarily provide in-kind or cash contributions. Projects must be completed within a two-year performance period, beginning approximately on September 30, 2026, and ending by September 29, 2028. Federal performance reporting and financial accountability standards (2 CFR 200) apply to all grantees. Administrative costs such as indirect overhead and unrelated travel are disallowed unless otherwise justified. Notably, all personnel and fringe requests may not exceed 30% of the project budget. Applicants must submit a complete application by April 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Applications must be emailed to Susan Lawrence, Program Manager at [email protected]. Late submissions will not be considered. The application must include a narrative, budget justification, and evidence of stakeholder support. Proposals will be reviewed and scored by an Advisory Committee based on criteria including project relevance, potential impact, alignment with USDA outcomes, feasibility, and measurable results. Awards are subject to federal fund availability and may be fully or partially funded at MDAC’s discretion. For further assistance, applicants may refer to the SCBGP performance metrics and allowable cost guides provided in the official Request for Proposals. All grant activity must comply with USDA guidelines and the Mississippi SCBGP’s programmatic priorities. For more information, interested applicants may contact Susan Lawrence at (601) 213-7542 or consult the full program documentation at https://www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.

Align project with USDA-approved performance metrics; focus on collective industry benefit, not individual gain.