en English
ar العربيةzh-CN 简体中文nl Nederlandsen Englishfr Françaisde Deutschit Italianopt Portuguêsru Русскийes Español

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Overview

The purpose of the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. The SCBGP assists with improving the competitiveness of specialty crops by promoting, supporting research, and providing access to specialty crops. The SCBGP also helps address local, regional, and national challenges experienced by specialty crop producers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines specialty crops as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).”

View a full list of the program's eligible specialty crops

For more information, please visit the USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp

2023 NMDA Request for Proposals

How to Apply?

The SCBGP is part of the Farm Bill. The program is administered across the nation by state departments of agriculture. Individuals or non-federal entities who are interested in applying for the SCBGP may submit a specialty crop project proposal to their state department of agriculture. In New Mexico, applicants must submit their proposal for federal funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA). Successful applicants execute the work plan and all other aspects of the grant proposal. NMDA administers the SCBGP’s federal funding by acting as the fiscal agent and monitors the progress of the accepted projects.

The deadline to submit project proposals to NMDA is February 14, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. MT.

In order for potential applicants to learn more information and gain a better understanding of the program, the following virtual outreach workshops will be held:

  • Tuesday, January 10 at 1 p.m. Mountain Time. Register in advance for this meeting here
  • Friday, January 13  at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time. Register in advance for this meeting here
  • Tuesday, January 17 at 12 p.m. Mountain Time. Register in advance for this meeting here

1

Request for Proposals

2

Proposals Reviewed by Evaluation Committee and NM Secretary of Agriculture

3

NMDA Notifies Applicants

4

Successful Applicants Complete Revised Proposals

5

NMDA Submits State Plan to USDA

6

Revisions / USDA-AMS Approval

7

Sub-Contracts Between Project Coordinators and NMSU / NMDA

Considerations

  • Each project funded through the SCBGP must be completed within 3 years.
  • Grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis only.
  • Grant funds will not be awarded to projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product.
  • Grant funds will not be awarded to projects that provide profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.
  • Grant funds cannot be used for capital expenditures (equipment, buildings, and land).

Additional Information

2023 USDA Request for Application

Adobe PDF

Updated 1/23/23

Project Profile Template

Adobe PDF

Updated 2/1/23

Evaluation Plan (Performance Measures)

Adobe PDF

Updated 1/26/22

Previously Funded Projects 2019-2022

PDF
Updated 12/12/22

Approved Accepted Full Proposals 2019-2022

For more information and/or questions about the SCBGP, please send an email to:

specialtycrops@nmda.nmsu.edu