Specialty Crop Block Grant – H.R. 133 Stimulus Funds

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting proposals for FY21 Congress approved H.R. 133 stimulus funding due to COVID-19 impacts to the food system through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).

Program Overview

Eligible projects must “enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops” by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assist producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expand availability and access to specialty crops; and address local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.” USDA-AMS considers projects that respond to the pandemic will typically address local, regional, and national challenges that confront specialty crop producers.

USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruit, maple syrup, honey, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). View a list of eligible and ineligible commodities and the definition of the word “crop”.

All SCBGP awards are subject to the most recent USDA SCBGP Terms and Conditions of Award. All costs must be allowable in accordance with the federal cost principles outlined in 2 CFR part 200 Subpart E.

Application Process

MDA will consider proposals on a competitive basis scored and ranked by a review panel. The department will consider grant awards up to a maximum of $50,000 for a specific project with a grant period beginning Fall 2022 and extend up to February 28, 2025. A limit of $15,000 total for personnel and fringe benefits will be offered. Grant funds may not be used for administrative overhead. Funded projects are eligible to receive grant funds on a quarterly reimbursement schedule. No advance payments will be made.

MDA will accept proposals from individuals, individual producers, non-profit and for-profit businesses, public and private colleges and universities, agencies, institutions, industry and community based organizations or commercial entities only if the project focus benefits the entire specialty crop industry.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that solely provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Projects must impact and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry with strong information dissemination and outreach components providing results to benefit others rather than a single organization, institution or individual.

Applicants must be a legal entity and have the legal capacity to contract with MDA.

All outcomes and their associated indicators and data collection must occur within the project’s period of performance.

Applicants must follow the budget guidelines as shown in the examples provided in the application:

  • Tables must be used and expenses detailed as requested.
  • Justifications must be completed.
  • “Conforming” statements must be listed in budgets and boxes must be checked.

All program income must be used to enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops and further expand the project or program objectives within the period of performance.

MDA will include selected proposals in the Missouri Specialty Crop State Plan for USDA review and approval.

FY21 H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Proposal Application PDF | Word

Funding Schedule

Date
Monday, June 6, 2022
Wednesday, July, 13, 2022
August, 2022
September, 2022
September/Octover 2022
Task
Application Posted to Website
Grant Applications due to MDA 3:00 pm
MDA State plan submitted to USDA
Award approvals from USDA
Subrecipient agreements completed

Previously Funded Projects

For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program application process, contact Susan Bennett at (573) 526-9548 or Susan.Bennett@mda.mo.gov.