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.
2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Conventional)
- 2025 Request for Concept Proposals (Revision 08.19.2024)
- 2025 SCBGP Concept Proposal Questions and Answers - Round 3
- SCBGP Frequently Asked Questions
2025 SCBGP Schedule
| Phase I: Concept Proposal | |
|---|---|
| Release Request for Concept Proposals | August 12, 2024 |
| Concept Proposals Due | September 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. PT via FAAST |
| Additional Assistance Program Applications Due | September 27, 2024, 5:00 p.m. PT via email (grants@cdfa.ca.gov) |
| Phase II: Grant Proposal (by invitation only) | |
| Invitation to Submit Grant Proposals | December 2024 |
| Grant Proposals Due | January 2025 |
| Grant Proposals to USDA for Approval | May 2025 |
| Award | |
| Announce and Award Funding | Fall 2025 |
2025 SCBGP Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations (Additional Assistance) Program
The intent of the Additional Assistance Program is to provide a process through which organizations that have been historically underrepresented in the SCBGP can participate and successfully implement their SCBGP projects. Eligibility for the Additional Assistance Program includes 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 with grant writing, and who work directly in either supporting underserved and beginning farmers or providing nutrition education and/or access to specialty crops in underserved communities.
Applicants are eligible to receive technical assistance on the Additional Assistance Program application and should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov as soon as possible to begin receiving assistance with their Concept Proposal.
Proposal Supplements
- SCBGP Additional Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions (Revision 08.22.2024)
- Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities Table
- Outcome Measures Supplement
- Procuring Goods and Services
- Budget Template
Alert: Possible Scam
CDFA Grant Notifications Requesting Payment in Exchange for Grant Awards
CDFA has been made aware of numerous scams soliciting payment from applicants to award grants. CDFA does not charge fees for application or administration of grants and awards are never made based on payments from applicants. If you believe you may be a victim of this effort, you are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement (Police or Sheriff's Department).
Program Status
Grant Resources
Additional Links
Contact Us
Office of Grants Administration
1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Tel: (916) 657-3231
grants@cdfa.ca.gov