Specialty Crop Block Grant

The Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program funds projects that will increase the competitiveness of Minnesota-grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, floriculture, and processed products that have 50% or more specialty crop content by weight, exclusive of added water. See USDA's detailed list of eligible specialty crops (PDF) for more information.

Applicant eligibility

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We encourage the following groups to apply for the SCBG:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Producer organizations
• Government agencies
• Universities
• Tribal organizations
• Other agricultural groups

Projects proposed by individual producers, for-profit businesses, or commercial entities are eligible only if they demonstrate a significant benefit to the broader specialty crop industry.

Project eligibility

Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops that are grown in Minnesota by:

• Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops;
• Assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops;
• Expanding availability and access to specialty crops; or
• Addressing local and regional challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

A specialty crop is defined by USDA. This program cannot fund starting a business or expanding a farm. Each project must demonstrate external support from specialty crop stakeholders and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry or public beneficiaries. Projects that address problems or opportunities that cross state boundaries are eligible.

Visit the USDA SCBG Program Awarded Grants page to see previously funded projects in Minnesota and across the country.

Funding priorities

We are seeking projects for the Minnesota 2025 SCBG program that address the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

• Improving distribution systems, promotion, and marketing of specialty crops.
• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
• Researching and developing techniques that focus on pest and disease control and prevention.
• Developing new or improved specialty crop seed or plant varieties.
• Researching and developing techniques to improve sustainable production of specialty crops and environmental outcomes.
• Improving food safety and compliance with food safety standards and requirements across the specialty crop supply chain.

In addition:

• Projects that benefit beginning farmers will receive priority. A beginning farmer is an individual or entity that has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years and that substantially participates in the operation.

Funding availability

We anticipate awarding approximately $1.25 million using a competitive review process. Project funding is contingent on USDA making funds available to us.

The maximum award is $125,000 and the minimum award is $25,000. We expect 12 to 15 grants will be awarded, but the final number depends on the size of awards.

There is no matching requirement.

How to apply

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

• Before you apply, read the 2025 SCBG Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility, requirements, and priorities.
• Apply online.
  • If you’re a new user, you need to create an account first.
  • Once you’re logged in, select “2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant.”

We encourage you to read the Question and Answer (Q&A) page and view previous project descriptions on the Past Projects page to help you with your application.

Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.

Program background

Funding for the SCBG program is made possible by a cooperative agreement between USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the MDA. SCBG is authorized under section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. Section 1621 note) and amended under section 10107 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115‐343 (the Farm Bill). The contents of this webpage and other program materials are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

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