Specialty Crop Block Grant

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is funded annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). This program aims to strengthen the specialty crop sector in South Carolina by allocating federal resources through a state-level competitive grant process. The program's structure is designed to ensure that awarded projects benefit the broader specialty crop industry rather than specific individuals or organizations. Eligible applicants must be producer, industry, or community-based organizations engaged with specialty crops. Proposals must demonstrate a clear intent to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry within South Carolina. Funds are restricted to activities that support specialty crops exclusively, with an explicit prohibition on projects that serve only a single organization or individual for profit-making purposes. The official USDA definition of specialty crops is linked in the application resources and must be adhered to in all proposals. Recent priority areas for funding have included food safety improvements, development of new specialty crop varieties, enhanced compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, environmental and conservation-oriented research, pest and disease management, consumer nutrition education, supply chain efficiency, and sustainability. These priorities reflect a holistic approach to strengthening the specialty crop ecosystem from production through distribution and consumption. Applications for the 2026 funding cycle will be available in January 2026, with a submission deadline anticipated in mid-February. All applications must be submitted via Amplifund, the newly adopted grants management system that will also be used for tracking reimbursements and reporting. Amplifund training resources are provided to assist applicants in navigating the new platform. A mandatory Project Profile Template and additional documents such as a Financial Capability Questionnaire and allowable cost guidance are part of the application package. Prior to the opening of the application window, SCDA has scheduled a public comment period from November 17, 2025, to December 12, 2025. During this time, stakeholders are encouraged to submit feedback via email to help shape the final request for applications. Additionally, a virtual RFA overview session is planned for January 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET to walk prospective applicants through the program expectations. Program contacts include the official program email (scbgp@scda.sc.gov) and phone number (803-939-5751). Reporting requirements for funded projects are structured with annual and final reports due on specific dates, depending on the award year, ensuring accountability and progress tracking throughout the grant lifecycle. The program operates on an annual cycle, and stakeholders can expect recurring opportunities to apply based on the established timeline.

Use official template; select only 1–3 measurable outcomes to avoid reporting burden; include letters of support; ensure project benefits broad stakeholders; check pre-award cost rules.