TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED FOR 2018 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO, September 13, 2017 - 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 2018 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.
 
The program 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 $25,000 to $300,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and six months.
 
The Technical Review Committee includes representatives from government and non-government organizations. Technical Review Committee members will attend one webinar and one in-person meeting between November 2017 and March 2018 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 PM on October 12, 2017. 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 grant funding categories related to their area of expertise:
• Specialty Crop Access and 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 2018 Request for Concept Proposals. The application form and the 2018 Request for Concept Proposals can be found on the program’s 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.