Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), is a federally funded initiative supported through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. This program provides financial assistance to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri, as part of a nationwide effort benefiting producers across the United States and its territories. Specialty crops, as defined by USDA, include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, maple syrup, honey, and horticultural and nursery crops including floriculture. The primary objective of the SCBGP is to fund projects that address key industry needs. These include enhancing food safety; supporting compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act; investing in specialty crop research with conservation and environmental outcomes; developing new seed varieties; implementing pest and disease control measures; increasing specialty crop consumption through nutrition education; improving distribution efficiency; and advancing sustainability practices. All proposed projects must clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and benefit the broader industry rather than a single organization or individual. Eligible applicants include individuals, producers, non-profit and for-profit businesses, institutions of higher education, agencies, and community-based or commercial entities, provided the project addresses an industry-wide benefit. Projects focusing solely on individual profit or organizational branding are ineligible. Applicants must show how project outcomes will be shared with stakeholders and growers to support sector-wide learning and advancement. Partnerships and collaboration are encouraged, and applicants are expected to involve additional parties and provide outreach. Applicants may request up to $50,000 per project, with a maximum of $15,000 allocated to personnel and fringe benefits combined. The grant period extends for up to 24 months, starting from November 2025, the anticipated agreement signing month. Funds are reimbursed quarterly, with no advance payments. Indirect costs are unallowable under the program. All expenditures must adhere to federal cost principles in 2 CFR part 200 Subpart E, and awards are subject to the USDA SCBGP Terms and Conditions. The application process involves submitting two components: the MDA SCBGP Application Part 1 and the USDA SCBGP Application Part 2. These, along with any supporting materials such as letters of support, must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee using a detailed scoring rubric, and selected projects will be incorporated into Missouri’s State Plan for approval and submission to USDA. For questions or submission, applicants should contact Susan Bennett, SCBGP Program Coordinator, by email or phone. The program emphasizes strong financial accountability, industry alignment, and measurable outcomes, with annual and final reporting required for all grantees. Site visits may be conducted, and financial records must be maintained through June 30, 2034.

Clearly explain measurable outcomes and indicators; avoid proposing projects that solely benefit one organization; include outreach; justify budget; use letters of support.