Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a funding initiative administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS). Established under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and updated through subsequent Farm Bills, this federal program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops such as floriculture. The SCBGP is governed by 7 CFR Part 1291 and implemented in Texas through a State Plan developed and submitted by TDA. The primary objective of the SCBGP is to strengthen the specialty crop industry through strategic investments in marketing, research, access, and innovation. Texas-based organizations are invited to propose projects that increase specialty crop consumption and address challenges at the local, regional, or national levels. TDA outlines five priority areas for funding: Food Safety, Nutrition, Plant Health, Value-Added/Industry Development, and Marketing. Each area includes a variety of eligible project types, such as the development of agricultural best practices, improvement of supply chains, educational campaigns, and applied research. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to Texas state agencies, universities, and institutions, as well as producer, industry, or community-based organizations involved in or promoting specialty crops. Importantly, applicants must demonstrate that their projects will benefit the broader specialty crop sector in Texas and not serve the interests of a single entity. Proposed projects must show a clear and measurable impact on specialty crop competitiveness, with special attention given to sustainability, external support, and dissemination of results. Grant recipients will be selected through a competitive evaluation process. Each proposal will be assessed for its clarity of purpose, impact, measurable objectives, stakeholder engagement, work plan feasibility, and financial justification. Projects that exhibit strong potential for industry benefit and sustainability are favored. The anticipated funding pool for Texas projects is approximately $1.5 million, although this figure may change pending final USDA-AMS announcements. Award decisions will also factor in prior performance for returning applicants and the level of risk assessed through required financial and organizational documentation. The application process is conducted through the TDA-GO online grant management system. Applicants must create a profile and submit a full proposal, including a project summary, outcomes, budget narrative, and required attachments. The application window opens in December 2025 and closes sharply at 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 22, 2026. TDA will review applications in early 2026 and submit selected proposals to USDA in May 2026. Final funding decisions and awards are expected in September 2026. Projects will begin in December 2026 and conclude by September 2028, with periodic performance reporting required throughout the duration of the grant term. Funds are disbursed on a cost-reimbursement basis, with an initial 90% of funds available upon approved expenditures and the final 10% released upon acceptance of a final performance report. There is no matching requirement for this grant. Ineligible uses of funds include indirect costs, alcoholic beverages, entertainment expenses, and promotional items not directly tied to specialty crop promotion. Grant recipients must retain all records for four years and comply with both state and federal reporting and audit standards. Project monitoring and risk assessment are integral to ongoing compliance. All funded activities must be aligned with the grant’s stated goals and ensure broad industry benefit.

Select correct focus area for proposal scoring; ensure project benefits multiple entities; emphasize measurable impact and dissemination of research.