Maine Specialty Crop Block Grant Programs

The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a federal grant program that offers funding to projects that enhance the competitiveness of Maine-grown and harvested specialty crops. The Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and a review committee select Maine projects to fund through a competitive application process. Selected projects are submitted to the USDA for review and approval to be administered by the Maine DACF. SCBGP-funded projects must benefit Maine’s specialty crop industry and may not be intended to support an individual business or organization. ▪ Maine Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Since 2002, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has awarded over $7.5 million to the Maine DACF to support the growing number of specialty crop producers selling in local and regional markets. Each year, the Maine DACF facilitates an SCBGP Request for Applications (RFA) and evaluates applications through a competitive, statewide process. Past and current awards have supported research into Maine’s most crucial agricultural commodities, the development of pest management strategies, school initiatives, and food safety projects.