Maine Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

The Maine Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a competitive annual grant initiative by the USDA to support specialty crop producers. Since 2002, over $7.5 million has been awarded to enhance market research and promote new technologies. Administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the program evaluates applications through a statewide competitive process, ensuring that the funding directly benefits Maine's specialty crop industry, rather than individual businesses.

USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) program is a competitive grant program solicited once a year. The SCBGP funds market research, market promotion and new technology projects specifically to benefit specialty crop producers. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and a review committee select projects to fund through a local, competitive proposal process. Selected projects are submitted to the USDA for review, and the Maine DACF administers the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program each year. Grant-funded projects must benefit Maine’s specialty crop industry and may not be intended to support an individual business or organization.
Maine and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Since 2002, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has awarded over $7.5 million to the Maine DACF to support the growing number of specialty crop producers selling in local and regional markets. Each year, the Maine DACF facilitates an SCBGP Request for Applications (RFA) and evaluates applications through a competitive, statewide process. Past and current awards have supported research into Maine’s most crucial agricultural commodities, the development of pest management strategies, school initiatives, and food safety projects.