Applications are now open for grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to increase the competitiveness of domestic and foreign markets for Minnesota-grown specialty crops.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that will:
- Market and promote specialty crops
- Support research and development related to specialty crops
- Expand the availability and access to specialty crops
- Address challenges faced by producers of specialty crops
The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $1.25 million in grants using a competitive review process, with a maximum award of $125,000 and a minimum award of $25,000. There is no matching requirement.
Producer organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, tribal organizations, universities, and other organizations involved in Minnesota agriculture are encouraged to apply. Individual producers, for-profit businesses, or commercial entities are also eligible to apply if their project will provide value to the specialty crop industry at large and incorporate a plan for disseminating the results of the project broadly.
Grant funding for the SCBGP is provided annually from a block grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the legislative authority of the 2018 Farm Bill. 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.
Applications for 2025 SCBGP funds must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Visit the MDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program web page for full program and application details, as well as lists of previously funded projects.
Note: Due to recent Executive Orders, federal funding may be reduced or cancelled. Publishing this request for proposals (RFP) does not commit the state to awarding any federal funds.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
No, the protect program is very specific on the species eligible. The list of "Livestock" includes beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids, ratites (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.
No, the protect program is very specific on the species eligible. The list of "Livestock" includes beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids, ratites (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.
No, the Protect Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production and must be considered a farm. A farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year.
No, the Protect Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production and must be considered a farm. A farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year.
Yes, bids, quotes, and other source documents are required.
Yes, bids, quotes, and other source documents are required.
Only one application will be accepted per farm. If the farm sites are owned by one organization the organization would submit one application.
No, the protect program is very specific on the species eligible. The list of "Livestock" includes beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids, ratites (flightless birds including emu), and llamas.
No, the Protect Grant is designated for operations that are directly involved in livestock production and must be considered a farm. A farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year.
Yes, an isolation pen is an eligible project. There are no specific criteria for the isolation pen, but you are encouraged to review the scoring criteria in the RFP as you are writing your responses to the questions.
Yes — the project examples are just a few items that would qualify for the grant. Overall, projects must be used to install measures to prevent the transmission of avian influenza, but producers can apply for what meets their needs within those criteria. We encourage you to review the scoring criteria in the RFP as you are writing the responses to the questions.
No, consumables are not eligible for this program.
Yes, bids, quotes, and other source documents are required.
The character limits provided are the maximum characters allowed and are not a requirement. For questions that include a narrative response, be sure to give enough details for reviewers to be able to evaluate your response.
Hired labor costs should be included in the budget table. Only include your personal labor in the labor table.
Only one application will be accepted per farm. If the farm sites are owned by one organization the organization would submit one application.
Only one application will be accepted per farm. If the farm sites are owned by one organization the organization would submit one application.
