CDFA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON PROGRAM PRIORITIES OF THE SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

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Sacramento, August 17, 2020 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is seeking public comments on the program priorities for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through a two-phase competitive solicitation process, the SCBGP awards funds to projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
 
The SCBGP program priorities are intended to address the current needs of California's specialty crop industry and help guide prospective applicants to submit projects that address the most significant issues affecting the industry.  For 2021, CDFA is proposing changes to the priorities to respond to challenges related to COVID-19 and address issues of farmer equity.
 
Interested parties should review the Proposed Program Priorities and may attend a web based public listening session or submit emailed comments.  To register for a webinar, please email grants@cdfa.ca.gov.  Public comments may also be submitted directly to grants@cdfa.ca.gov beginning August 17, 2020 at 5:00 pm until August 31, 2020 at 5:00 pm Comments from specialty crop stakeholders are strongly encouraged. The input received will be published on the CDFA SCBGP website and considered during the development of the final program priorities for 2021.

Listening Session Schedule:
Webinar 1 - August 20, 2020 1:00-3:00 pm PDT
Webinar 2 - August 26, 2020 10:00 am - 12:00 noon PDT

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