The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Market Development Branch (MDB), is accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for Fiscal Year 2025.
Donor Name: Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
State: Hawaii
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/20/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Specialty Crops Block Grant Program (SCBGP) supports projects that provide the highest measurable benefits or return-on-investment to the specialty crop industry segment in Hawai‘i. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Projects must enhance the competitiveness of Hawai‘i-grown specialty crops, in either the domestic or foreign markets. Preference is given to projects that measurably increase the production and/or consumption of specialty crops, and/or foster the development of fledgling crops and organic operations.
Funding Information
The funding for this year’s program totals $512,663 and seeks project proposals that increase the competitiveness of Hawai‘i’s specialty crops. Award amounts range from $20,000 to $50,000.
Grant Period
Projects must be completed within 24 months or by August 30, 2027, whichever is sooner.
Eligible Projects
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
- 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.
- Enhancing the competitiveness of Hawaii specialty crops that have cultural and geographic relevance.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local, state and federal government entities, for-profit organizations, universities and individuals for projects that enhance the competitiveness of Hawai‘i’s specialty crops. Applicants must reside in, or their business or educational affiliation must be registered in Hawai‘i.
For more information, visit HDOA.
