CDFA ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR ONE-TIME SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS

SACRAMENTO, July 12, 2021 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) under House Resolution 133 (“H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding”). In addition to the regular SCBGP funding authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (“Farm Bill”) the United States Congress has awarded additional one-time SCBGP funding to state departments of agriculture due to the COVID-19 impacts on the food system.
 
CDFA will conduct two levels of review during the competitive solicitation process to award funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Review the 2021 SCBGP H.R. 133 Request for Proposals for detailed application instructions.
 
Applicants are required to complete and submit their grant proposal using the required templates on the CDFA SCBGP website, https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/. The competitive process begins with the submission of concept proposals, which undergo both an administrative review and a technical review. The highest ranked applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal for submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 
CDFA anticipates that up to $10 million will be awarded to projects enhancing the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Grant amounts range from $250,000 to $1,000,000. The maximum grant duration is three years. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Organizations may submit no more than one application for H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding.
 
CDFA will conduct webinars on the solicitation process and one round of Q&A to address general questions. Grant proposals must be submitted electronically to grants@cdfa.ca.gov by 11:59 p.m. PT on August 8, 2021. Submitted grant proposals will only be considered if the required application templates are complete and attached in one email submission.
 
Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Office of Grants Administration by leaving a message at (916) 657-3231 or by emailing grants@cdfa.ca.gov for additional information.  
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