Deadline: 13-Jul-22
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).
USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruit, maple syrup, honey, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Eligible projects must “enhance the competitiveness of US 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.
Funding Information
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.
Project Types
improving Missouri’s specialty crop industry affected by COVID 19;
- 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. for example, by 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
Eligibility Criteria
- MDA will accept proposals 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.
- 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.
For more information, visit https://agriculture.mo.gov/abd/financial/specialtycrop-hr133.php