Specialty Crop Block Grant (SD)

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in South Dakota, administered by the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, aims to enhance competitiveness for specialty crops. This includes fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Grants support initiatives to boost consumption, expand market access, improve food safety, and foster research. Eligible applicants include government entities, nonprofits, research institutions, and individual producers, promoting innovation and sustainability in the specialty crop sector.

Program Purpose
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SD DANR) is responsible for administering the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in South Dakota. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops produced in South Dakota. Specialty crops are defined as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)."
Grant funds can be used to increase specialty crop consumption and purchasing, expand production and market access, bolster food safety knowledge and processes, improve pest and disease control and environmental sustainability, contribute to new seed variety development, and expand specialty crop research and development. State, local, or tribal governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, research institutions and institutions of higher education, for-profit businesses, and individual producers may apply.