The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (“ISDA”), Division of Economic Development is seeking applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Donor Name: Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)
State: Indiana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/22/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program helps State Departments of Agriculture enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by:
- Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops;
- Assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops;
- Expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and,
- Addressing local, regional, and national challenges confront specialty crop producers.
ISDA encourage applicants to development projects which address these issues affecting the specialty crop industry in Indiana:
- Enhancing food safety
- Assisting entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing GAP, GHP, and GMP
- Developing cost-share arrangement for funding GAP, GHP, and GMP audits for small farmers, packers, and processors
- Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
- Pest and disease control
- Developing local and regional food systems
- Improving food access in underserved areas
- Investing in research that focuses on conservation and environmental outcomes
- Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
- Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
- Support/promotion of the hydroponic/aquaponic industry
- Education/outreach to farmers on best practices
- Research/outreach on value-added products
Funding Information
- Indiana’s Available Grant Allocation: $512,013.27
- Minimum Award Amount: $50,000.00
Performance Period
September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2026
Eligible Projects
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state of Indiana to be to be eligible. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed project will benefit the specialty crop industry and/or the public as a whole. Projects that benefit a single entity, organization, or individual are not eligible. Additionally, recipients cannot use grant funds to unfairly compete with organizations that provide equivalent goods and services.
Eligibility Criteria
For-profit entities(including sole proprietors), nonprofit entities, local units of government (e.g., towns, cities, counties), and both public and private institutions of higher education (IHEs) may apply for the SCBGP. Individuals acting on their own are not eligible to apply. To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
For All Applicants
- If the applicant has previously received SCBG funding, cannot be delinquent on any reports, claims, or actions as required by ISDA or USDA.
- Must not have more than two (2) open grants at the time of application. For IHEs, this requirement applies at the Department/Division level.
- Must have a SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov
- Must NOT be on the SAM.gov exclusions list, USDA suspension/debarment list, or any other federal suspension/debarment list
- Must be registered as a bidder with the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) Supplier Division.
For more information, visit ISDA.
