2025 Specialty Crop Block Grants

The 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), managed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops like floriculture. Eligible projects must provide measurable outcomes that benefit the specialty crop industry and/or the public. The program supports initiatives in marketing, research, education, food safety, environmental sustainability, and workforce development. Proposals solely benefiting a single organization or individual are not eligible. Applicants can submit up to two proposals and must rank them if submitting more than one. The grant operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning funds are only disbursed after expenses are incurred. Applications must include detailed budgets, dissemination plans for results, and adherence to federal and state guidelines. Failure to comply with reporting requirements can result in forfeiture of funding or disqualification from future opportunities.