Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

The Idaho Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), is part of a broader national initiative funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Through an annual competitive process, ISDA awards these federal funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Idaho. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. These grants are designed to provide substantial benefits beyond a single organization or individual, aiming to impact sectors of the agricultural community across domestic and international markets. The primary goal of this grant is to support projects that directly enhance the marketing, production, efficiency, or consumption of specialty crops. Eligible uses of funds encompass a wide array of activities such as pest and disease control, food safety improvements, sustainability, and expanding access and availability of specialty crops. Projects may also target nutrition education, development of new crop varieties, workforce improvement, and strengthening the entire distribution chain. Additionally, investments in specialty crop research with an emphasis on environmental conservation and outcomes are considered allowable uses. Applications are open to a wide range of entities, including local, state, and federal government agencies, universities, for-profit and non-profit organizations. ISDA emphasizes that projects must provide broad-based benefits rather than serve private gain. As such, individual producers or single-entity focused initiatives are not eligible unless the impact is demonstrably shared. The scope of projects must tie directly to Idaho-grown specialty crops and promote their competitiveness on a broader scale. For the 2026 grant cycle, the solicitation timeline begins in January 2026 with the official release of the Request for Proposals. An application webinar is scheduled for January 23, 2026, at 10 AM MST. The final deadline for applications is March 8, 2026. ISDA will then review and select the proposals in March, followed by the submission of the Idaho State Plan to USDA in May. Award disbursement agreements will be issued between October and November 2026, with project start dates anticipated between November and December 2026. All funded projects must conclude by September 29, 2029. All applications must be submitted through the Euna/AmpliFund system, and applicants are encouraged to review the application training materials and the recorded webinar for guidance. The USDA requires the use of a specific XFA-based PDF form, which must be accessed using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat. Outcome measures and indicators are integral components of the application, with "Sales" being a mandatory metric for all marketing and promotion projects. Applications should also address evaluation metrics as specified in the guidelines. For inquiries, applicants are directed to email [email protected] or call (208) 332-8500. The ISDA offices are located at 2270 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID, although visitors should note that due to construction starting December 22, 2025, walk-ins and mail services are temporarily rerouted to the Animal Health Laboratory at 2300 Old Penitentiary Road. Interested applicants can find the full set of application documents and submit their proposals via the official portal at https://www.gotomygrants.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/3ed1663f-8d32-45b7-b66e-e83a80f27079.

Include letters of support to strengthen application; ensure measurable outcomes align with SCBG goals.