2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in Minnesota

The Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). It is authorized under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and most recently amended by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The SCBG program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Minnesota-grown specialty crops in both domestic and international markets. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA to include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops, floriculture, and processed products that contain at least 50% specialty crop content by weight, excluding added water. This grant opportunity encourages applications from a broad range of entities, including nonprofit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities, tribal organizations, and other agricultural groups. Individual producers, for-profit businesses, and commercial entities may also apply but must demonstrate that their proposed projects provide significant benefits to the broader specialty crop industry, rather than solely serving their private interests. Eligible projects must support the enhancement of the competitiveness of specialty crops produced in Minnesota. This can include efforts to improve marketing and promotional strategies, assist with specialty crop research and development, improve access and distribution systems, address regional challenges, or promote food safety compliance. Additionally, eligible activities may support the development of pest and disease control methods, breeding of new specialty crop varieties, or sustainability and environmental improvement strategies. Projects must present measurable outcomes and include documented support from relevant stakeholders. For 2025, funding priorities are focused on initiatives that improve distribution systems and marketing strategies, promote nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, enhance pest and disease management, support plant variety development, promote sustainable production methods, and improve food safety practices. Special consideration is given to projects benefiting beginning farmers, defined as those who have operated a farm for no more than ten years and who are actively involved in its management. Approximately $1.25 million is available for award through a competitive selection process, with individual grant awards ranging between $25,000 and $125,000. The program anticipates awarding between 12 to 15 grants, depending on the size of the funding requests. There is no matching requirement for applicants. All proposed projects must produce public benefit and may not be used to fund the startup or expansion of private farming operations or businesses. The application window for the 2025 cycle opened in February 2025 and closed on March 19, 2025. Questions were accepted until March 12, 2025. The MDA reviewed applications from March through April, and provisional approvals were communicated by mid-April. Final approvals and grant contracting processes are expected in the fall following USDA review in summer 2025. The anticipated start date for funded projects is November 1, 2025. Projects are expected to conclude by April 30, 2028, with a final end date no later than September 29, 2028. For additional assistance or to request alternative formats, applicants may contact the MDA's Ag Marketing & Development division at 651-201-6500. General inquiries can also be directed to the MDA main line at 651-201-6000 or toll-free at 800-967-2474.