Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), is a state-level grant initiative funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, nursery crops including floriculture, and turf-type grasses. This program stems from federal legislative authority, notably the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and the 2008 Farm Bill, which authorized USDA to support state-administered programs designed to advance these specific agricultural products. Alabama’s SCBGP is a competitive grant opportunity that invites proposals from various entities, including non-profit organizations, government entities, industry trade associations, producer groups, for-profit businesses, and both public and private colleges and universities. While the USDA funds the program and has final approval authority, ADAI manages the state-level application process, conducts the initial review through a panel of industry experts, and submits award recommendations to USDA. All applicants must demonstrate that their projects will solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops and benefit a broad stakeholder base rather than a single individual or entity. Eligible uses for grant funds include activities such as promoting consumption and nutrition awareness of specialty crops, developing food safety and sustainability practices, improving distribution efficiency, pest and disease control, seed variety research, and support for community gardens. Projects must align with USDA’s outlined priorities and must generate measurable outcomes that benefit the specialty crop industry or the broader public. Grant funding cannot be used for lobbying, political activities, profit-oriented business expansion, purchase of land, buildings, general-purpose equipment, or indirect costs like general administration expenses. Each project must demonstrate public impact beyond the interests of any one organization. The grant program operates on an annual cycle. For 2026, ADAI invites proposals in February, with full proposals due by March 26, 2026. ADAI plans to submit the state-level application to the USDA in May 2026. USDA is expected to announce award decisions in September 2026, with approved projects able to begin only after this formal notification. Projects may span up to 34 months but are encouraged to be shorter in duration, with those demonstrating effective implementation within 12 to 24 months receiving higher consideration. Award ceilings vary by applicant type: commodity groups, nonprofit and for-profit agriculture organizations, municipalities, and trade associations may receive up to $25,000, while colleges and universities may be awarded up to $40,000. The minimum grant award is $5,000. All grants are issued on a reimbursement basis, and successful applicants must comply with federal administrative requirements specific to their organization type. Required documentation includes a contract, W-9, E-Verify enrollment, and vendor budget forms. Evaluation criteria include submission completeness, clarity of the timeline and budget, the scope of industry impact, and the inclusion of measurable goals. Proposals are reviewed by a committee of independent evaluators from the Alabama agriculture sector, and all applicants—selected or not—will receive notification from ADAI. The program is designed to support projects that build Alabama’s specialty crop industry through innovation, outreach, and measurable outcomes that serve the broader agricultural community.