Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications through 3 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, for the FY 2026 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).

Program Overview

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Specialty crops are defined 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 USDA-AMS awards are subject to applicable laws, federal cost principles, USDA regulations, the AMS General Terms and Conditions and the USDA Terms & Conditions. All costs must be allowable in accordance with the federal cost principles outlined in 2 CFR part 200 Subpart E.

Eligible projects must enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Projects must address one of the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry.

  • Enhancing food safety.
  • Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. Chapter 27). For example, developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems (including USDA Group GAP) for small farmers, packers and processors.
  • Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes.
  • Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.
  • Pest and disease control.
  • Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
  • Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems, and
  • Sustainability.

Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities must be followed. All AMS awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the AMS General Terms and Conditions.

In-Eligible Uses of Funds

  • Permanent infrastructure development or improvement (equipment, land, or buildings).
  • Overhead expenses and indirect costs associated with a project.
  • Lobbying or political efforts.
  • Business entertainment or gifts.

All grantees are required to complete performance report forms annually to MDA detailing the project status and how grant monies were used for the performance reporting period. First time SCBGP Grantees are required to complete performance report forms quarterly. Upon completion of the project, a final, comprehensive report is due. Reporting requirements and templates will be provided in the award agreement.

MDA Reserves the Right To

  • Reject any or all applications received.
  • Waive or modify minor irregularities in applications received after prior notification and agreement of applicant.
  • Provide partial funding for specific application components that may be less than the formal amount requested in the grant application.
  • Require a good faith effort from the project organization or sponsor to work with MDA subsequent to project completion to develop reporting data or implement the project results, where applicable.
  • Perform site-monitoring visits to all grantees to ensure that work is progressing within the required period and that fiscal procedures are followed accurately and appropriately.
  • Withhold any payments that do not meet grant conditions.
  • Require return or refund of grant monies used for expenditures that are not allowed or unauthorized.

How to Apply

MDA will accept applications from individuals, individual producers, non-profit and for-project 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. Applications are accepted on a competitive basis and scored and ranked by an internal and/or external review panel. Applicants must be a legal entity and have the legal capacity to contract with MDA.

Part 2 Application will open in a new tab. Click the download button in the top right corner and save application on your computer. Open application from the computer folder where saved. Fill out the application in Adobe Acrobat Reader rather than the web browser.

The application period will close at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026.

The Department will consider grant awards for up to a maximum of $50,000 for a specific project with a limit of $15,000 total for personnel and fringe benefits combined.

The project grant period begins with the date (November 2026) both parties sign the agreement and extends up to 24 months. Grant periods extending beyond 24 months will need approval by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

This is a reimbursement grant only. Funded projects are eligible to receive grant funds on a quarterly reimbursement schedule. No advance payments will be made. Final reimbursements will not be processed until a completed final performance report is received by MDA.

Cost share and matching funds are not required by the SCBGP and should not be included in the application.

All expenses, outcomes including their associated indicators, and data collection must occur within the project period of performance.

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.

Submit the following documents to grants@mda.mo.gov:

  • Completed and signed Application Part 1
  • Completed Application Part 2
  • One to two project support letters
  • Supplemental Word Document for any application “boxes” with word count overages

Travel Guidelines and Rates

Missouri’s SCBGP follows the State of Missouri’s travel rates for reimbursement of mileage and meals. Hotels use applicable GSA CONUS lodging rates per night (depending upon location).

In-State Travel Requirements through June 30, 2026

  • Mileage – 70 cents per mile
  • Motel – use applicable GSA CONUS lodging rates per night (depending on location)
  • Meals – use applicable state rates per day in state and out of state (depending on location)

2026 Application Timeline

  • Grant Applications Due to MDA by 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026
  • Award Announcements from USDA – September/October 2026
  • Subrecipient Agreements Completed – November/December 2026

Reference Materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What software do I need to view and complete the USDA SCBGP Application (Part 2)?

Make sure you have the most recent free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

The application will open in a new tab. Click the download button in the top right corner and save application onto your computer. Open application from the folder where you saved it and fill out the application through Adobe Acrobat Reader rather than the web browser.

This is a fillable PDF form and should not be changed by using the editing function that is offered within the paid version of Adobe Acrobat.

How do I locate the outcome indicator choices for each outcome measure within the application?

The application has a drop-down menu under each outcome measure when the box is clicked on each line. This is where you can choose the outcome indicator(s) for each outcome measure that you plan to accomplish with the completion of your project. Only one outcome measure and one indicator are required for a project.

Can indirect costs be applied to the SCBGP grant?

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”) are unallowable under Missouri’s grant program.

Should I include any support letters?

Yes, our Advisory/Review Committee expects one to two support letters from an external non-benefitting source describing how this project will benefit the Missouri specialty crop industry.

How do I provide more information that doesn’t fit within the application boxes?

Any additional information can be provided in a separate Word document and submitted with your completed application.

Do I need to provide outreach for my project outcomes?

An outreach component should be included addressing how project results, research findings, and conclusions will be extended to specialty crop growers, industry, and/or project beneficiaries. This should be added within the same box of the data collection details where you provide data collection methods for the outcome measures chosen. Outreach should take place within the period of performance of the project.

If funded, will I get my funds at the beginning of the project once an agreement is signed?

This is a reimbursement only grant. Funds will only be paid upon receipt of a paid invoice and proof of payment for all budgeted expenses. Quarterly reimbursement requests are preferred.

Can specialty crops grown and/or farmed using Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds be donated? What can be done with these products?

If SCBGP funds are used to grow specialty crops, the resulting crops cannot be donated or given away. This includes supplies (such as seeds or soil). These crops may be sold at a reasonable market value, used for sampling, nutrition and cooking classes, demonstrations, or other educational purposes. If sold, funds would be considered program income and must be reinvested into the project in support of allowable costs and activities within the period of performance for the award.

How can I spend program income earned from the project?

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