Dear Colleagues,
California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) is soliciting concept proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). SCBGP funds projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops and is designed to support all sectors of California's specialty crop industry and will fund efforts which improve the performance of California specialty crops within local, domestic, national, and international markets. Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.
The proposal process for SCBGP consists of two phases. In phase I, concept proposals should be submitted via the specified online tool by concept proposal deadline specified below. Successful concept proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal in December 2024 with a due date in January 2025 (exact dates are yet to be determined).
SCBGP program consists of three funding areas each of which have up to three subcategories. The concept proposals must be aligned with one primary funding category. These are:
- Funding Area I: Market Enhancement
o Category A: Grown in California
- Funding Area II: Access, Education and Training
o Category A: Healthy Specialty Crops for all Californians
o Category B: Equity, Opportunity and Education for all California Specialty Crop Farmers
- Funding Area III: Research
o Category A: Environmental Stewardship, Conservation and Climate Smart Agriculture
o Category B: Plant Health and Pest Management
o Category C: Food Safety (Separate Proposal Solicitation). Please see http://www.centerforproducesafety.org/.
For more information, please visit the sponsor's website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/ and see the Request for Concept Proposals (RFCP)
Concept Proposal Due: 09/09/2024
Funding Amount: $100,000 to $500,000
Project Duration: up to2 years 8 months with a start date of 11/01/2025
Match: Not required
Thank you.
ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)