Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is part of a federal initiative supported by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. This competitive grant program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Idaho. Specialty crops, as defined by USDA, include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, and honey. ISDA distributes these funds to eligible entities within the state through a structured application and review process. The grant supports a wide range of project types, all of which must benefit the broader specialty crop industry rather than a single organization. Eligible project categories include improving nutrition knowledge and consumption, pest and disease control, sustainability, food safety enhancements, new seed variety development, improved distribution systems, market development, workforce development, and research with conservation or environmental outcomes. Projects must produce measurable outcomes that demonstrate industry impact and cannot be solely for the benefit of one business or group. Applicants may request any amount of funding, though the average award historically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000. A total of six proposals may be submitted per applicant, with each application limited to a single project scope. Multi-state projects are eligible through a separate USDA-managed program, although Idaho is not a participating state. Projects must be completed by September 29, 2028, with no expenses incurred outside of the award period. Applications must be submitted via the AmpliFund portal using the ISDA-provided application template. Required components include a detailed project narrative, a budget narrative, and at least one measurable outcome with specific indicators selected from ISDA’s predefined list. Letters of support from industry partners are strongly encouraged as they influence evaluation scores but are not mandatory. Evaluation is conducted by a committee composed of industry and ISDA representatives using a weighted scoring system. Project quality, potential to enhance Idaho’s specialty crop competitiveness, return on investment, and inclusion of measurable outcomes form the basis of assessment. Notifications and disbursements are managed post-review, and reporting requirements include quarterly financial reports and annual performance evaluations. The grant is non-renewable, and indirect costs, tuition, fellowships, and general-purpose equipment are not reimbursable. The application deadline is March 10, 2025, with awards expected to begin by November 2025. Questions may be directed to ISDA Market Development staff, including Brenden Meyet (SCBG@isda.idaho.gov, 208-332-8547) or Ken Cameron (Ken.Cameron@isda.idaho.gov, 208-332-8537). Comprehensive guidelines, application templates, and training videos are available on the ISDA SCBG program website.

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