Deadline: 20-Apr-21
The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is pleased to announce a competitive solicitation grant process to award the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of Delaware’s specialty crop industry.
Funding is provided to state departments of agriculture from the Farm Bill through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is looking for grant projects that solely increase the competitiveness of Delaware grown specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of Delaware farmers and strengthen Delaware’s economy in regard to the following priorities specified by the USDA:
- Enhancing food safety;
- Food safety compliance to address specialty crop buyer requirements for mitigating food safety risks.
- 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;
- Increasing opportunities for new and beginning farmers;
- Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;
- Protecting and improving pollinator health;
- Developing local and regional food systems;
- Improving food access in underserved communities and among veterans.
- Increasing urban agriculture and other emerging agricultural practices by bringing food production into busy, populated areas – such as vertical gardens, shipping container farms, rooftop farming, hydroponics, community gardens, community composting, and food waste reduction.
Funding Information
- Delaware Department of Agriculture’s portion of the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is estimated to be more than $344,000.00 and will be distributed through a competitive review process. Competitive grants will be awarded for projects between $5,000 and $50,000. The Delaware Department of Agriculture reserves the right to offer an award amount less than the amount requested.
- Projects must be completed by July 31, 2024. No extensions will be permitted. Projects cannot begin until the AMS/USDA has made their official award announcement, a contract between the Delaware Department of Agriculture and sub-grantees has been signed, and a Purchase Order for the grant recipient has been completed.
Eligibility Criteria
- This invitation for proposals has been developed to provide all interested parties an opportunity to apply for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. Individual producers, producer groups, organizations, associations, and state and local organizations, academia, and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Proposals submitted by individual producers must demonstrate that the project’s potential impact will accrue to a broader group of similar producers, regions, or industry segments.
- Applicants may submit more than one proposal. If more than one proposal is submitted, please prioritize the submissions.
- To be eligible to participate, applicants must reside, or their business or educational affiliation must be in Delaware. Those applicants that are non-profit or for-profit, if awarded a grant, will be required to provide verification of their status.
For more information, visit https://agriculture.delaware.gov/communications-marketing/specialty-crop-block-grant-program/