Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) distributes block grant funds annually, which are administered by State departments/ divisions of agriculture. The purpose of this program is to carry out projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by:

1. Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops;
2. Assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops;
3. Expanding availability and access to specialty crops;
4. Addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers; and
5. For such other purposes determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with specialty crop stakeholders and relevant State departments of agriculture.

Through a competitive application process, the Division will award sub- grantee projects that meet the requirements and objectives of this grant program.

Potential grant recipients might include a group of professional producers, universities, extension services, soil and water conservation districts, or schools working in cooperation with a business or non- profit. The maximum award amount for this grant is $60,000. The grant performance period for this grant is up to 3 years.

HIGHLIGHTS AND PROGRAM CHANGES FOR 2026

There have been major changes to the program since last year. Please make sure to review this section carefully.

1. New General Terms and Conditions that apply to all sub- grantees:
   The AMS General Terms and Conditions (AMS GT&C) have been updated to reflect changes to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and the USDA General Terms and Conditions (USDA GT&C) for Federal Awards that were published on December 31, 2025. Both sets of General Terms and Conditions are applicable to and establish requirements for recipients.
2. FOR NEXT YEAR: Starting in FY2027, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will require a cost share for all subawards. Each subaward will be required to provide a cost share from non- Federal sources in the form of cash and/or in- kind contributions equal to 25% of the amount of Federal funds being requested. This is not a requirement for this current application cycle but will start next year.
   
   These changes are meant to increase the overall investments available to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops across the country at the Federal, State, and local levels.

Eligibility

Only projects related to specialty crops are allowed under this funding source. Grant projects must benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Projects that benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single business, organization, or individual will be deemed ineligible for funding.

Each project must identify at least one expected measurable outcome and outcome indicator that specifically demonstrates the project’s impact in enhancing the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops. Guidance on outcomes and indicators can be found at SCBG Performance Measures and SCBG Performance Measures Quick Guide.

Examples of Eligible Products

The USDA AMS defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops. Agricultural products not eligible for funding under this grant program include livestock, dairy, grains produced for fuel and feed, and hay. A complete list of USDA- eligible and ineligible specialty crops is at USDA Specialty Crop Definitions.

Examples of Ineligible Products

Funding Priorities

The Alaska Division of Agriculture, in partnership with statewide specialty crop stakeholders, will identify the following program funding priorities. Funding priorities are listed in no particular order of importance and are not ranked.

• Enhancing food safety;
• Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. Chapter 27), for example, developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems (including USDA GroupGAP) for small farmers, packers, and processors;
• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes;
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops;
• Pest and disease control;
• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; and
• Sustainability

Specialty Crop Stakeholders can provide input on this year’s top funding priorities by competing the following survey by 5:00pm on May 8^th, 2026: Stakeholder Priority Survey.

How to Apply:

• Download and read the Alaska Division of Agriculture Request for Applications document.
• Review the application resources below.
• Complete the provided Project Profile Template and return along with required Letters of Support to dag.scbg@alaska.gov subject line: “2026 SCBG Application” no later than 5:00pm on May 20, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
• The Project Profile Template is an interactive template and must be downloaded, saved to a file, and then opened directly from the file in order to be able to view.
• Do not convert the Project Profile Template to Word, print to PDF, or convert to any other format. Applications must be submitted using the USDA interactive template or they will not be accepted.

Application Documents:

Request for Applications Document
Click the link below to download the PDF. The PDF must be saved to a folder and then opened from the folder to view.
Project Profile Template
PDF Download and Open to Adobe Reader Instructions

Application Resources:

AMS General Terms and Conditions (AMS GT&C)
USDA General Terms and Conditions (USDA GT&C)
USDA Specialty Crop Definitions
SCBG Performance Measures
SCBG Performance Measures Quick Guide
2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Webinar

Contact Us:

For questions related to the 2026 SCBG Application, please contact:
Amanda Swanson, Program Coordinator I
Office: (907) 761-3869
Email: dag.scbg@alaska.gov

To see reports on past projects Alaska has completed
visit: https://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_SCBGP_projects.htm
If you would like to see more information on what other states have funded or what is eligible for funding
visit: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/awards