Apply for a Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant

The  Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) helps make fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, flowers, and other special plants to do better in the market.

Overview

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds are for projects that help the specialty crop industry do better. They cannot be used for projects that only help one product or one organization make money. 

To apply, fill out the Full Proposal form on the Department of Community and Economic Development's website. If you have any questions, contact Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture at 717-614-5730 or by emailing lastackhou@pa.gov.

Eligibility

SCBGP grant funds will be awarded for projects of up to two years in duration.

Eligible applications include:

  • State and/or local organizations
  • Producer associations,
  • Academia
  • Community-based organizations
  • Other specialty crops stakeholders

Projects to make specialty crops more competitive include:

  • Teaching kids and adults about eating fruits and veggies
  • Sending industry representatives s to international meetings with US government
  • Making it easier and cheaper to ship specialty crops
  • Helping everyone in the crop chain follow good practices
  • Spending money on crop research, especially for organic and environment-friendly ways
  • Keeping food safe
  • Creating new and better crop seeds
  • Controling pests and diseases
  • Focusing  on making farming sustainable

Contact Us

You have any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to Lauren Stackhouse
 by email at lastackhou@pa.gov or by calling 717-772-5207.