TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED FOR 2017 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO, October 13, 2016 - California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross is welcoming volunteers with knowledge and expertise regarding California's specialty crop industry to serve as reviewers on the 2017 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Technical Review Committee. This committee reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to CDFA on proposals submitted for funding to California’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).

The SCBGP is a competitive solicitation process designed to enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $450,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and six months.

The Technical Review Committee consists of representatives from government and non-government organizations. Technical Review Committee members will attend one webinar and two in-person meetings between December 2016 and April 2017 to make recommendations on concept and grant proposals.

All individuals interested in serving on the Technical Review Committee must submit a completed application form and a copy of their résumé to grants@cdfa.ca.gov before 5 p.m. on November 18, 2016. Please reference page two of the application form for requirements and restrictions.

Within the applicant form, applicants must identify at least one of the following SCBGP funding categories related to their area of expertise:
• Market Expansion and Access
• Specialty Crop Nutrition Education
• Equipping Current and Next Generation Specialty Crop Farmers
• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
• Plant Health and Pest Management

For a description of each funding category and more details about the program, please reference the 2017 SCBGP Request for Concept Proposals. The application form and the 2017 SCBGP Request for Concept Proposals can be found on the SCBGP website at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants. Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Office of Grants Administration at (916) 657-3231 or grants@cdfa.ca.gov for additional information. 

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