Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Farm Bill 2026

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Marketing Service to strengthen the competitiveness of specialty crops across the United States and its territories. Authorized under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004, the program provides federal funding to State departments of agriculture, which in turn develop and manage projects that benefit specialty crop industries. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. The program operates as a formula-based block grant, meaning each eligible state or territory receives a calculated allocation based on production data and acreage, as outlined in the official notice of funding opportunity. The primary purpose of this funding is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through a wide range of activities. These include marketing and promotion initiatives, research and development efforts, improvements in distribution systems, and projects addressing challenges such as pest management, food safety, and sustainability. Projects must demonstrate benefits beyond a single entity and instead provide measurable outcomes that impact the broader specialty crop industry or the public. The program emphasizes collaboration, encouraging partnerships among producers, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to maximize impact. Funding for the fiscal year covered by this notice totals approximately 86.6 million dollars, with individual state allocations determined through a statutory formula. The award period spans three years, beginning September 30, 2026, and ending September 29, 2029. States are responsible for distributing funds to subrecipients through their own competitive processes and must ensure compliance with federal requirements, including allowable costs, reporting standards, and performance tracking. Administrative costs are limited to eight percent of the total federal award, and while cost sharing is not required for this funding cycle, future cycles will introduce matching requirements. Eligibility for this program is limited to State departments of agriculture in all 50 states and eligible U.S. territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and others. These entities are responsible for developing comprehensive state plans that outline proposed projects, funding priorities, and expected outcomes. Projects must align with program goals and cannot solely benefit a single organization or individual. The program prohibits the use of funds for activities that unfairly compete with private businesses or that primarily generate profit for one entity. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include required federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed state plan narrative and project profiles. Applicants must maintain active registrations in federal systems such as SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier prior to submission. The application deadline is June 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The review process includes an initial screening for eligibility and completeness followed by an administrative review to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Following submission, the Agricultural Marketing Service evaluates applications based on alignment with program objectives, allowable costs, and the applicant’s capacity to manage federal funds. Successful applicants receive a Notice of Award outlining terms and conditions. Recipients are required to submit annual and final performance reports and adhere to federal guidelines for financial management and civil rights compliance. Additional support is available through program contacts and technical assistance resources provided by the agency.

Submit early due to lengthy registration processes; ensure all required forms and attachments are complete; align projects with program purpose and demonstrate broad industry benefit