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The 2014 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant awards were announced late last week and our clients were blessed with success on four proposals prepared by Morrison, amounting to nearly $1.5 million in collective grant funding awarded.

These projects included marketing support to increase sales of Sonoma County wines, marketing support to increase sales of California olive oil, a promotional and marketing campaign to increase overall sales of California wine, and funding to increase the adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices in California.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program seeks to promote and increase opportunities for specialty crop producers. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state and federal government entities, including tribal governments; and public, private colleges and universities are eligible to apply.

Grants cannot directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

In 2014, applicants could apply for up to $400,000 for projects under the following categories:

• Market Enhancement
• Agriculture Education
• Nutrition
• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
• Plant Health and Invasive Species Impact Mitigation
• Food Safety

The application period for the 2015 California Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is likely to be announced in the next month. Last year the application period was announced October 28; concept proposals are typically due within 30 days of the announcement.

If you are interested in applying for 2015 California SCBG grant funding, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764 by October 15. We cannot guarantee capacity to potential applicants contacting us past this date.

Morrison also works with grant programs administered by state agencies outside of California. If you have any interest in applying for a Specialty Crop Block Grant in a different state, please feel free to contact us to discuss your state's program.