Specialty Crop Block Grant 2014

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – Farm Bill is administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

The program is committed to help strengthen the market for specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. SCDA will accept proposals for these funds through May 16, 2014.

SCDA encourages organizations to develop projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of farmers, and strengthen local economies by:

• Increasing nutritional knowledge and specialty crop consumption
• Improving efficiency within the distribution system and reducing costs
• Promoting the development of good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices while
encouraging audit cost‐sharing for small farmers, packers and processors
• Supporting research through standard and green initiatives
• Enhancing food safety
• Developing new/improved seed varieties and specialty crops
• Controlling pests and diseases
• Creating organic and sustainable production practices
• Establishing local and regional fresh food systems
• Expanding food access in underserved/food desert communities

Projects can be up to three years in duration. Projects must fall within the criteria as described in the application and must benefit groups of producers, not individuals. Funds cannot be used for capital expenditures such as buildings, equipment or land.

All project proposals should be submitted both electronically and physically to SCDA SCBGP Grant Administrator, at the addresses listed below. Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2014. All proposals must be submitted in Microsoft Word. Any proposals submitted in a PDF format will not be accepted for consideration. The project manager for each proposal will be notified by June 27, 2014 as to the status of their proposal eligibility. All communications will take place via email or letter.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is authorized under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note.) and amended under Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110‐246 (the Farm Bill). SCBGP‐FB is currently implemented under 7 CFR Part 1291 (published March 27, 2009; 74 FR 13313).

All questions and proposals should be submitted to:

Amy Howard London
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
PO Box 11280
Columbia, SC 29211
Phone: (803) 734‐2210
Fax: (803) 734‐0325
Email: [email protected]