Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) conducts an annual competitive solicitation process to award Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). For a list of eligible and ineligible commodities, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service website.

For a description of projects awarded, visit the Awards page.

Please sign up for our email list if you would like to be notified of future SCBGP funding opportunities.

2026 Grant Proposal Instructions – By Invitation Only

Grant Proposal Webinar

Applicants invited to submit a Grant Proposal are strongly encouraged to attend one of the upcoming grant proposal webinars. To register, click on the link provided in the table below. When registering, there will be an option to select the preferred date and time. Once registration is complete, a confirmation email will be sent containing information on how to join the webinar. Presentation materials will be provided via GoToWebinar at the start of the webinar session. If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please email grants@cdfa.ca.gov.

Grant Proposal Required Templates

• Budget Narrative
• Work Plan
• Cost Sharing

Proposal Supplements

2026 SCBGP Request For Grant Proposals

• SCBGP Frequently Asked Questions
• Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities Table
• Outcome Measures Supplement
• Outcome Measures Template
• Procuring Goods and Services

2026 SCBGP Additional Assistance for Limited Resource Applicants Program

Press Release: CDFA Now Accepting Proposals for Assistance for Limited Resource Applicants 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

2026 Request for Concept Proposals (due January 12, 2026 via email)

The intent of the Additional Assistance for Limited Resource Applicants (Additional Assistance) Program is to provide a process through which small and/or limited resource applicant organizations can participate and successfully implement their SCBGP projects. This program will provide personalized application assistance, including feedback on draft proposals and one-on-one phone calls, emails, or virtual meetings.

Eligibility is limited to non-profit organizations, tribal governments (federally and non-federally recognized), and K-12 school districts that have not previously received SCBGP funding, do not have technical expertise in granting writing, and who work directly in either supporting limited resource and/or beginning farmers or providing nutrition education and/or access to specialty crops in low resource communities.

Applicants interested in the Additional Assistance Program should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov or complete the inquiry form to receive additional details on the program. . One-on-one technical assistance will be available for up to 20 eligible applicants. Applications are due via email by January 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

Concept Proposal Supplements:

• SCBGP Additional Assistance Frequently Asked Questions
• Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities Table
• Outcome Measures Supplement
• Procuring Goods and Services
• SCBGP Additional Assistance Program Webinar Recording