Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

Post Date

August 16th 2008

Application Due Date

September 8th 2008

Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-AMS-SCBGP-09082008

CFDA Number(s)

10.170

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Agriculture

Number of Awards

56

Eligibility Categories

State Governments

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $10000000

• Award Range:

  $100000 - $None

Grant Description

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). The funds announced under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB) are authorized by the recently enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). The application process to apply for the SCBGP–FB funds will parallel those currently found in 7 CFR part 1290. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to develop their grant applications promptly. The Farm Bill requires USDA to obligate the grant funds under this program by the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2008, which necessitates a short application period. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and community-based organizations in the development of applications and the administration of projects. Please contact your local State department of agriculture if are not eligible to apply as described above. Applications must be submitted by September 8, 2008.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Agriculture

• Office:

  Agricultural Marketing Service

• Agency Contact:

  Trista Etzig
  Project Manager
  Phone 202-690-4942

• Agency Mailing Address:

  Contact for questions or to find out your State contact.

• Agency Email Address:

  trista.etzig@usda.gov