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 SCBGP Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee is comprised of volunteers with knowledge and expertise regarding California’s specialty crop industry. The committee reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to CDFA on proposals submitted for funding to California’s SCBGP.

Interested individuals must submit a completed application form and a copy of their résumé/Curriculum Vitae to grants@cdfa.ca.gov .

Technical Review Committee Instructions

2026 Technical Review Committee Application
Technical Review Committee Application Appendix A
– due September 22, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. PT

2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Conventional)

Press Release: CDFA Now Accepting Proposals for the 2026 SCBGP and Technical Review Committee

2026 Request for Concept Proposals

Proposal Supplements

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

2026 SCBGP Additional Assistance for Limited Resource Applicants Program

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.

The Additional Assistance Program Request for Concept Proposals will be released in November 2025. 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.