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Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Contact: Caroline Hargraves, Director of Marketing and Economic Development, carolinehargraves@utah.gov

2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Applications Now Closed.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a competitive grant program operated by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) in which funding from the United States Department of Agriculture is awarded to eligible applicants to support Utah’s specialty crop industry. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture — including nursery crops, and more. Click here for a complete list of eligible specialty crops.

This grant is open to producers, schools, trade associations, non-profits, farmers markets, farming and ranching co-ops, etc. headquartered in Utah. Potential projects may include a broad range of focus such as improving marketing, research, training, certifications, food safety, pest control, plant health and beyond for specialty crops. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to enhance the competitiveness of Utah grown specialty crops and benefit more than one producer or organization.

2023 Farm Bill Specialty Crop Block Grant Information:

Award Funding:

    • A total of $355,050 is available to be awarded. Individual project requests may not exceed $90,000. 

Important Dates:

    • Applications Open: February 22,2023
    • Virtual Office Hours: February 28th, 2023, 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
    • Application Close Date: March 24, 2023 5:00 PM
    • Awards Announced: April 14th, 2023
    • Final USDA Award Approval: May, 2023
    • Contracts signed and completed: September, 2023

Overview:

    • Selected projects must run from September 30th, 2023 – to September 29th, 2026.
    • This year, priority will be placed on projects that respond to opportunities and challenges within specialty crop production, processing, distribution, and/or marketing in Utah; enhance food safety or aid in compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act; improve pest and disease control; increase child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improve sustainability, and improve efficiency and reducing costs of Utah’s specialty crop distribution systems.
*For project proposals outside the scope of the categories above, pre-approval must be granted; email carolinehargraves@utah.gov for more information.

Eligibility:

    • The grant is open to producers, private businesses, schools, trade associations, non-profits, farming and ranching co-ops, etc. headquartered in Utah.
Additional applicant types may be eligible, email carolinehargraves@utah.gov for more information.

Review Process:

The review process for this round of funding has two stages, an initial eligibility review followed by a selection committee review. Projects that only benefit one applicant, are centered on ineligible crops, or projects with incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Rating Criteria:

Projects will be rating on the following: 

    • benefits more than one producer and/or organization
    • will improve the growth of specialty crops in the state
    • addresses an impact issues for specialty crops in Utah (sustainability, pest control, access/availability, varieties, food safety, distribution, etc.)
    • benefits underprivileged farmers, new and beginning farmers, veteran producers, and underserved communities (as defined in the USDA RFA)
    • objectives are clear and realistic
    • outcome indicators develop the outcome measures selected (measurable metrics of success)
    • activities described are in line with the project objectives
    • the project differs from and/or builds on previous efforts
    • the project will become self-sustainable and won’t need additional grant money in the future
    • the project has an educational component
    • items requested in the budget are allowed by USDA
    • first-time applicant

See 2023 Rating Criteria Scoring Sheet here.

Additional Information: