The RIDEM/Division of Agriculture is pleased to announce a competitive solicitation process to award Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.
Donor Name: RI DEM Division of Agriculture
State: Rhode Island
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 03/31/2022
Size of the Grant: $375,000
Details:
Funding Areas
Funding areas are intended to clearly define the 2022 SCBGP priorities and help prospective applicants to both develop their projects and submit their projects in the most appropriate category. In practice, Proposals might seem to address elements from multiple funding areas.
However, applicants must select one of the areas listed in the Proposal.
Proposals should
- Demonstrate a high likelihood of success
- Describe the specialty crop grower benefit and grower connection to the project
- Be scalable to the larger community
- Demonstrate industry need and support
- Illustrate a sustainable funding source beyond the life of the proposed grant
- Include an outreach component addressing how project results, research findings, and conclusions will be extended to specialty crop growers
There will be two funding “tracks” that you may categorize your application as:
- General Specialty Crop
- SCBG mini grants.
Track 1: General Specialty Crop Block Grant Proposals
- Track 1 is the historical SCBG category that RIDEM has administered. This track is for larger projects that require a higher scale of funding.
- Agriculture Education and Outreach
- Nutrition Education and Consumption
- Environmental Crop Research/Conservation
- Enhancement of Food Safety/Food Security
- Plant Pest and Disease Control
- Trade Enhancements/Innovations
- Good Agricultural Practices
- Good Handling Practices
- Good Manufacturing Practices
- Organic and Sustainable Production Practices
- COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance/ Relief
Track 2: Specialty Crop Block Grant Mini Grants
Track 2 is being utilized to maximize program funding. RIDEM will issue grants of $2,500 – $10,000 in funding. Mini grants will be allocated for three categories:
Funding Information
DEM anticipates that approximately $375,000 will be awarded to projects enhancing the competitiveness of Rhode Island specialty crops. A maximum grant award does not exist and neither DEM nor the SCBGP requires a cost sharing or matching requirement.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Each project must identify at least one expected measurable outcome and indicator that specifically demonstrates the project’s impact in enhancing the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops.
- Funds will not be awarded for projects that benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. In addition, grant funds cannot be used to compete unfairly with private companies that provide equivalent products or services.
- Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners. Proposals should be initiated by organizations, industry groups, or academic institutions, or should involve collaboration or partnerships between producers, industry groups, academics, or other organizations. Applicants may cooperate with any public or private organization, or two or more individuals or organizations may propose a joint project. Applicants should describe how the project potentially affects and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual.
For more information, visit Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).
