The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Market Development Branch is currently accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) Fiscal Year 2023.
Donor Name: Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
State: Hawaii
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/03/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $50,000
Grant Duration: 24 months
Details:
Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Much of Hawai`i’s diversified agriculture falls under this specialty crop designation. Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops.
The primary goal in this grant program is to support projects that could provide the highest measurable benefits or return-on-investment to the specialty crop segment in Hawai`i. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of Hawai`i-grown specialty crops, in either the domestic or foreign markets. Preference will be given to projects that measurably increase the production and/or consumption of specialty crops, and/or foster the development of fledging crops and organic operations.
Funding Information
The HDOA will be awarding a total of approximately $450,000 to Hawai`i proposals that enhance the competitiveness of Hawai`i specialty crops. Project awards may range up to $50,000. Under the program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocated funding to each state based on the value of the specialty crops produced in the state.
Project Duration
Projects must be completed within 24 months or at the latest, by March 30, 2026.
Eligible Projects
- Enhance the Competitiveness of U.S. Specialty Crops: To be eligible for an award, the project(s) must enhance the competitiveness of Hawaii’s specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Project areas may include, but are not limited to, the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:
- Increasing the production of specialty crops to replace specialty crops that are imported o Increasing child and adult nutritional knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
- Increasing Sustainability (for this solicitation, sustainable agriculture is the production of specialty crops using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, and human communities)
- Enhancing food safety
- Developing new and improved seed varieties
- Improving efficiency and reducing the costs of distribution systems
- Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing “Good Agricultural Practices”, “Good Handling Practices”, “Good Manufacturing Practices”, and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors.
- Benefit More Than One Product or Organization: Proposals must show how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. Funds will not be awarded for projects that provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.
Eligible Entities
HDOA is seeking proposals from eligible non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities, for-profit organizations, universities and individuals for projects that enhance the competitiveness of Hawaii’s specialty crops. To be eligible to participate, applicants must reside in, or their business or educational affiliation must be registered in, Hawaii.
For more information, visit Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
