- Author: Kathleen P Nolan
Dear Colleagues,
Please note that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is requesting volunteers with knowledge and expertise regarding California's specialty crop industry to serve as reviewers on the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Technical Review Committee. This committee reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to CDFA on proposals submitted for funding to California's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is a competitive solicitation process designed to enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Grant awards will range from $25,000 to $300,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and six months.
The following areas of expertise are requested:
• Specialty Crop Access and Nutrition Education
• Equipping Current and Next Generation Specialty Crop Farmers
• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
• Plant Health and Pest Management
The Technical Review Committee includes representatives from government and non-government organizations. Technical Review Committee members will attend one webinar and one in-person meeting between November 2017 and March 2018 to make recommendations on concept and grant proposals.
Serving on technical review panels is an excellent way to improve upon your own grantsmanship skills as well as an opportunity to build rapport with a grant program. If you are interested in participating in this CDFA technical review panel opportunity, please submit a completed application form and a copy of your résumé to grants@cdfa.ca.gov before 5 PM PST on October 12, 2017.
Thank you.
Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)