Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is a federally authorized initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen the competitiveness of specialty crops across the United States. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops. In Virginia, the program is implemented by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), which acts as the state-level intermediary responsible for soliciting, reviewing, and forwarding project proposals to USDA for final approval. The program operates as a pass-through funding mechanism in which VDACS aggregates selected proposals into a single state plan submission to USDA. The primary purpose of this grant opportunity is to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops within Virginia. Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes that benefit the broader specialty crop industry or the public rather than a single organization or individual. Eligible project activities may include marketing and promotion, research, education, food safety improvements, pest management, or other initiatives that directly strengthen specialty crop sectors. While specific allowable and unallowable costs are referenced in supporting materials, all funded activities must align with USDA guidance and VDACS priorities. The funding structure is competitive and contingent upon federal appropriations, specifically the U.S. Farm Bill and the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Notice of Funding Availability. VDACS does not directly guarantee funding amounts until USDA approves the state’s consolidated application. Award amounts for individual sub-grantees range up to 100,000 dollars, with no clearly defined minimum. Funding is distributed to approved applicants only after USDA awards funds to VDACS, making the state agency both the applicant to USDA and the grantor to selected sub-recipients. The application process follows a two-phase structure. Applicants must first submit a pre-application, which serves as an initial screening tool. VDACS reviews all pre-applications and selects a subset of proposals to advance to the full application stage. Only invited applicants may submit full proposals. This staged approach ensures that only the most competitive and aligned projects proceed to the final submission phase. VDACS then compiles selected proposals into a statewide application submitted to USDA for final review and approval. Evaluation of proposals is conducted by VDACS using criteria outlined in the application materials. Projects are assessed based on their potential impact, alignment with program goals, and ability to deliver measurable outcomes benefiting the specialty crop sector. After USDA review, VDACS notifies applicants of funding decisions. However, final awards are contingent upon USDA approval, and no sub-grantee funding is guaranteed until the federal award is confirmed. The timeline for the current cycle begins with the announcement of the opportunity on December 31, 2025, followed by an informational webinar on January 13, 2026. Pre-applications are due February 6, 2026, and selected applicants are invited to submit full proposals by May 8, 2026. VDACS submits the consolidated state plan to USDA in March 2026, with award announcements anticipated in September 2026 and funding disbursement expected around October 1, 2026. The program appears to operate on an annual cycle, though all dates remain contingent on federal funding approvals. For additional information, applicants may contact Melissa Ball, Special Projects Manager at VDACS, via email or phone. Supporting application materials, including budget templates and financial capability questionnaires, are provided to assist applicants in preparing competitive proposals. The program emphasizes transparency, measurable impact, and alignment with statewide agricultural priorities.

Focus on demonstrating measurable outcomes and broad industry impact rather than benefits to a single entity