MA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

MA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
Amount: US $40,000 - US $90,000
Last Updated: March 03, 2026

Summary

The MA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Massachusetts by funding projects that promote marketing, research, and access to these crops. It addresses the USDA's goals and focuses on providing healthy, affordable food options while supporting underserved communities. The program runs from October 1, 2023, to September 29, 2026, and aims to improve economic opportunities in urban, rural, and suburban areas.

Overview

Background To address the goals the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) has for enhancing the competitiveness of Specialty Crops. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture (including maple syrup and honey), and nursery crops (including floriculture). The overall goal of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (“SCBGP”) is to leverage efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assist producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops, expand availability and access to specialty crops, and to address local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers. MDAR’s goal with the SCBGP is to increase access to healthy, affordable food options, with a preference for fresh, locally-sourced, Massachusetts-grown, caught or harvested healthy food, and to improve economic opportunities for nutritionally underserved communities in urban, rural, and suburban localities. A full definition and a list of Specialty Crops can be found on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (“AMS”) Specialty Crop Website, www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp. The USDA is the final approver and funding entity for the SCBGP. While MDAR will conduct the initial review of project proposals and make recommendations to USDA, USDA shall make the final decision concerning grant awards. SCBGP projects can be 1-3 years in length. Projects must be completed within three (3) years of the start of the grant period. The grant period must begin no earlier than October 1, 2023, and end no later than September 29, 2026. Applicants must indicate the start and end dates on application Form C. What you need The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds projects that aim to enhance the production and competitiveness of Specialty Crop industries in Massachusetts. What is a Specialty Crop? Find out what qualifies as a Specialty Crop. A full definition and list of Specialty Crops can be found on the USDA - Specialty Crop Website.

Eligibility

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