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The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) has released their Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) request for proposals. This program supports projects that enhance the competitiveness of Michigan specialty crops; defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. A full list of specialty crops can be found on USDA’s website. Funding is contingent on the passage of a Farm Bill, and applications are due February 6, 2025.

What are the funding priorities?

• Market enhancement to promote specialty crops
• Market expansion, availability, and access to specialty crops
• Consumer Marketing Campaigns
• Feasibility Surveys
• Economic Impact Studies
• Farm to institution, including but not limited to restaurants, food service, grocery stores, schools and institutions
• Research and development relevant to specialty crops
• Plant health & pest management
• Farm sustainability
• Training & education addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers
• Enhancing food safety
• Consumer Awareness Education to increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
• Environmental sustainability
• Conservation
• Workforce and labor across the supply chain

What projects are eligible for funding through this program?

Proposals should demonstrate how the project will potentially produce measurable impacts for the specialty crop industry as a whole and not benefit only a specific product or a single organization, institution, or individual.

SCBGP project proposal activities include but are not limited to promotion, marketing, research, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities, and for-profit organizations. The organizations must be legal entities recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, and applicants must reside and/or conduct their business in Michigan.

What funding is available?

The grants have a maximum award of $100,000 for research proposals and $125,000 for marketing, training, and education proposals.

Is there a cost-sharing/match requirement? 

Cost sharing is not a requirement of the SCBGP, and does not impact whether projects will be awarded funding.

What is the grant duration?

Grant period will be approximately October 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027.

The full Request for Concept Proposals can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.