Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBGP) projects "solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops". Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, maple syrup, honey, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Request for Specialty Crop Block Grant Applications
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now requesting applications for fiscal year 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant funds.
Applicants may request State FY 2013 SCBGP funds for a specialty crop project lasting up to two years. Applications will be considered on a competitive basis and ranked by a peer review panel. Only two submissions per entity (i.e. institution, organization, non-profit) will be allowed. Selected applications will be included in the Missouri Specialty Crop State Plan and reviewed and approved by the USDA. Projects must impact and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public, rather than a single organization, institution or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners. Applicants must be a legal entity and have the legal capacity to contract. Applicants are encouraged to provide a cash match for their projects. Grant funds may not be used for administrative overhead.
Applications received from participants who have applied and received SCBGP grant awards at least twice will be reviewed and considered for funding after first-time applicants have the opportunity to compete.
Awarded projects cannot begin until October 1, 2012.
Please Note: Farmers’ Market improvement and expansion projects should be done through the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP). This program was created through a recent amendment of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976. The grants, authorized by the FMPP, are targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.
SCBGP Grant applications must be received and recorded by the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) before 4:00 p.m. May 11, 2012. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. May 11, 2012 will not be accepted.
Mail or fax one hard copy to the Missouri Department of Agriculture before 4:00 p.m. May 11, 2012. In addition to mailing or faxing one hard copy, please e-mail a copy of the completed application to the Ag Business Development Division.
Mailing Address
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Jennifer Brooks, SCBGP
1616 Missouri Blvd., P.O. Box 630
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0630
Fax number: (573) 751-2868
Submission email address: abd@mda.mo.gov
View the State FY 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant-FB Guidelines 
Specialty Crop Block Grant Application and Checklist
View Project Plan Examples (Sample Grants)
Specialty Crop Block Grant Unallowable and Allowable Costs
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Logic Model
Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for State Fiscal Year 2012
Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for State Fiscal Year 2011
Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for State Fiscal Year 2010
Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for State Fiscal Year 2009
For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program application process, contact Jennifer Brooks at (573) 751-7213 or Jennifer.Brooks@mda.mo.gov.
Background
On December 21, 2004, the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) amended the Specialty Crops Competiveness Act of 2004 and authorized the USDA to provide grants to states for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.
