The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a federal initiative designed to boost the competitiveness of specialty crops in the United States. If you’re wondering what counts as a “specialty crop,” think fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops-including flowers and ornamental plants.
The program’s main goal is to give these crops and the people who grow them a leg up, especially since traditional farm programs tend to focus on big commodities like corn, wheat, or soybeans.
What’s the Purpose of the SCBGP?
The SCBGP exists to help specialty crop producers thrive in both domestic and international markets. It does this by funding projects that:
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Promote specialty crops and increase consumer access
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Support research, including pest management, food safety, and new technology
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Improve marketing, distribution, and processing
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Address challenges faced by specialty crop growers at local, regional, and national levels
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Encourage education, nutrition, and “buy local” campaigns
The program is all about making specialty crops more competitive, more accessible, and more profitable for growers-while also making them more available and appealing to consumers.
How Does the Program Work?
Here’s how the process usually goes:
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The USDA provides block grants to state departments of agriculture each year.
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States then run their own competitive grant processes, inviting organizations, nonprofits, producer groups, colleges, and sometimes individuals to submit project proposals.
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These proposals must show how they’ll benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole, not just one farm or business.
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States review, select, and manage the projects, making sure they fit the program’s goals and federal guidelines.
If you’re an individual or organization interested in SCBGP funding, you don’t apply directly to the USDA. Instead, you submit your proposal to your state’s department of agriculture, which handles the selection and oversight.
What Kind of Projects Get Funded?
SCBGP funds a wide variety of projects, such as:
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Research on new crop varieties or pest control methods
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Marketing campaigns to boost local fruit and veggie sales
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Training for farmers on food safety or sustainable practices
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Developing food hubs or processing facilities
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Farm-to-school programs and nutrition education
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Efforts to improve supply chain efficiency or reduce environmental impact
One key rule: projects can’t just benefit a single business or product. The goal is to support the broader specialty crop sector.
Who Can Apply?
Only state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture can apply directly to the USDA for these grants. However, nonprofits, universities, producer groups, and other organizations can participate by partnering with their state agriculture department and submitting proposals for state-level funding.
What About the Money?
There’s no federal requirement for matching funds or cost sharing, which means applicants don’t have to put up their own money to get a grant. States receive annual funding based on the value of their specialty crop production relative to the national total. Grant amounts and deadlines vary by state, and projects usually need to be completed within three years.
Why Does the SCBGP Matter?
Specialty crops are a major part of American agriculture and diets, but they haven’t always gotten the same support as big commodity crops. The SCBGP helps level the playing field, supporting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth for growers of everything from apples and carrots to flowers and herbs. It also encourages healthier eating and stronger local food systems.
