Specialty Crop Block Grant

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), is seeking applications for projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state. These funds are made available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which allocates funding to each state based on a formula tied to the value and acreage of specialty crop production. While the exact FY 2026 award amount has not yet been announced, South Carolina has received an average of $608,682 annually over the past five years. The SCBGP is authorized under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and implemented through regulations outlined in 7 CFR part 1291. The SCDA invites applications from eligible producer groups, industry stakeholders, and community-based organizations that serve the specialty crop sector. Specialty crops, as defined by USDA AMS, include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Importantly, processed products must contain at least 50% specialty crop content by weight. Honey qualifies as a specialty crop for the purposes of this program, whereas hemp does not. The grant prioritizes projects that enhance the production, promotion, accessibility, and consumption of specialty crops across South Carolina, and projects must benefit more than one entity. Partnerships across organizations are especially encouraged to increase impact. Projects may span up to three years, with the eligible funding period beginning on September 30, 2026, and concluding by September 29, 2029. Pre-award costs incurred up to 90 days before the start date may be allowable at the applicant’s risk. The SCDA administers a competitive two-step review process to evaluate applications. First, external agricultural experts will score applications objectively; then, a selection committee will use those scores to determine final awards and amounts. All awards are made on a cost-reimbursement basis and are subject to federal cost principles and state procurement regulations. Applicants must submit their proposals using the official SCDA FY2026 SCBGP Application Template, which is available at scspecialtycropblockgrant.com. Submissions must be made through the Euna Grants online system by the deadline of 11:59 PM on Friday, February 13, 2026. Required components include a clearly defined project scope, budget narrative, and at least one outcome aligned with USDA AMS’s standardized performance measures. Project performance and outcomes must be reported annually and at the conclusion of the grant. The SCDA reserves the right to alter or reject proposals based on compliance or alignment with program goals. Projects eligible for SCBGP funding may address a wide range of issues affecting specialty crop industries, such as food safety improvements, new seed varieties, sustainability initiatives, pest and disease management, and market access expansion. However, projects focused on SNAP incentives, direct-to-consumer marketing, or bioenergy should seek funding through other USDA programs like the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program or the Local Food Promotion Program. Research projects are expected to generate applied results that are available to stakeholders within one to two years post-grant. For more information, applicants may contact Hannah Arndt at the SCDA by phone at 803-939-5751 or through the website at scspecialtycropblockgrant.com. Written notifications regarding application outcomes will be provided in late spring 2026. Funded applicants must comply with all reporting and accounting requirements, including submission of performance and financial reports, and the use of Unique Entity Identifiers (UEIs) registered through SAM.gov.

Follow AMS outcome indicators strictly; ensure projects benefit multiple stakeholders; read all template instructions; projects that promote a single organization or product are disqualified.