Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) distributes block grant funds annually, which are administered by State departments/ divisions of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG) seeks to increase production, consumption, access, knowledge, and sustainability of Alaska Grown specialty crops, sustain farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen local communities. Each year, the Alaska Division of Agriculture receives approximately $250,000 from USDA for this program to distribute through competitive grants. Potential grant recipients might include a group of professional producers, universities, extension services, soil and water conservation districts, or schools working in cooperation with a business or non- profit. The maximum award amount for this grant is $60,000. The grant performance period for this grant is up to 3 years.

Eligibility

Only projects related to specialty crops are allowed under this funding source. Grant projects must benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Projects that benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single business, organization, or individual will be deemed ineligible for funding.

Each project must identify at least one expected measurable outcome and outcome indicator that specifically demonstrates the project’s impact in enhancing the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops. Guidance on outcomes and indicators can be found at SCBG Performance Measures and SCBG Performance Measures Quick Guide.

Examples of Eligible Products

The USDA AMS defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops. Agricultural products not eligible for funding under this grant program include livestock, dairy, grains produced for fuel and feed, and hay. A complete list of USDA- eligible and ineligible specialty crops is at USDA Specialty Crop Definitions.

Examples of Ineligible Products

Timeline

The timeline for this application cycle is:

January 15, 2024	Release the Request for Applications
January 30, 2024	Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Overview Webinar 12pm- 1pm Webinar Registration The webinar will be recorded for those who cannot attend.
February 23, 2024	Letter of Intent (LOI) due by 5 pm emailed to dnr.scbg@alaska.gov
March 1, 2024	Letter of Intent feedback returned to applicants. Qualifying projects will be invited to submit their Full Application
April 1, 2024	Full Applications due by 5 pm emailed to dnr.scbg@alaska.gov
April 2- 11, 2024	Full applications reviewed by Review Committee.
April 12, 2024	Final decisions made. Applicants notified of results.
May 2, 2024	State plan submitted to USDA (some adjustments to projects may be required by USDA at this point).
Fall, 2024	Funds disbursed from USDA (exact date TBA)
September 30, 2024	Project Period of Performance begins for most grantees.

Funding Priorities

The Alaska Division of Agriculture, in partnership with statewide specialty crop stakeholders, will identify the following program funding priorities for 2024. Funding priorities are listed in no particular order of importance and are not ranked.

• Enhancing food safety;
• Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. Chapter 27), for example, developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems (including USDA GroupGAP) for small farmers, packers, and processors;
• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes;
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops;
• Pest and disease control;
• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; and
• Sustainability

Specialty Crop Stakeholders can provide input on this year’s top funding priorities by competing the following survey by March 1^st : 2024 SCBG Funding Priorities Survey.

How to Apply:

• Download and read the Alaska Division of Agriculture Request for Applications document.
• Review the application resources below.
• Complete the Specialty Crop Block Grant Letter of Intent template and email to the Division of Agriculture, along with supporting documentation, to dnr.scbg@alaska.gov subject line: “SCBG Letter of Intent” no later than 5pm February, 9^th, 2024.
• If your project outlined in the Letter of Intent meets this program’s eligibility criteria, you will be invited to submit a Full Application. The application template and further instructions will be provided by the Division of Agriculture.

Application Documents:

Request for Applications Document
Letter of Intent Template
Click the link below to download the PDF, then open it in a PDF viewer.
Project Profile Template

Application Resources:

SCBG 2024 Presentation
USDA AMS General Terms and Conditions
USDA Specialty Crop Definitions
SCBG Performance Measures
SCBG Performance Measures Quick Guide
Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
SBA Categories

Contact Us:

For questions about the SCBG program, please contact:
Mary Rowland, Grant Administrator
Office: (907) 761-3851
Email: mary.rowland@alaska.gov

To see reports on past projects Alaska has completed
visit: https://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_SCBGP_projects.htm
If you would like to see more information on what other states have funded or what is eligible for funding
visit: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/awards
SCBG Funding Priority Survey Results