The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is pleased to announce a competitive solicitation process to award 2023 Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.
Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
State: Pennsylvania
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/02/2022
Size of the Grant: $1 million
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
The purpose of the Commonwealth Specialty Crop program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a grant program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Crops identified as high priority crops are hemp, honey, hardwood, and hops. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed, and marketing of these eligible specialty crops.
Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.
Projects must enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops and benefit the eligible specialty crop industry as a whole and may include, but are not limited to, projects such as:
- Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
- Participation of industry representatives at meetings of international standard setting bodies in which the Federal Government participates
- Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
- Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chains in developing good agricultural practices, including the use of cover crops for specialty crop production; good handling practices; good manufacturing practices; and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors
- Investing in specialty crop research, including the use of cover crops for specialty crop production, organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes and enhancing food safety
- Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
- Pest and disease control
- Sustainability
Funding and Duration
PDA anticipates that approximately $1 million will be awarded to projects enhancing the competitiveness of Pennsylvania specialty crops. A maximum grant award does not exist and neither PDA nor the SCBGP requires a cost sharing or matching requirement.
Grant funds cannot be expended before October 1, 2023, or after September 29, 2026. PDA reserves the right to offer an award amount less than the amount requested.
Eligibility Requirements
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. Multi-state projects are allowed but should provide solutions to problems that cross state boundaries. Multi-state partnership proposals must explain the impact the projects will have on a multi-state or national level.
For more information, visit Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
