Specialty Crop Block Grant Program ( MT)

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, managed by the Montana Department of Agriculture, aims to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of specialty crops in Montana. This program invites applications from various entities, including local organizations and academia, to develop projects focusing on food safety, research, and sustainability. By supporting the specialty crop industry, the program fosters growth and innovation, benefiting producers and consumers alike.

Montana Department of Agriculture
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) operates more than 30 programs, many funded entirely through user fees. These include regulatory programs that protect producers, consumers and the environment, as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture. The Director's Office also serves as an advocate for Montana agriculture in national and international forums and works to make the department's programs accessible to the public.
Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program, Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) seeks to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of Montana specialty crops. Grants are available to State and/or local organizations, government entities, producer associations, academia, community based organizations, and other specialty crop stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, peas, lentils, horticulture, and nursery crops.
Applicants are encouraged to develop projects in the following issue areas affecting the specialty crop industry:
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, for example, by developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems 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.