Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

November 25, 2024 | Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces the opening of the FY2025 funding cycle for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which aims to strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries and producer associations. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, maple syrup and mushrooms), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture).  Approximately $180,000 is available in grant funds for FY25. Grants requests must range from $15,000 to $45,000. Interested applicants should apply by January 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Read more by clicking here.

Read below for the 2025 Request for Applications and instructions on how to apply.

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) awards Specialty Crop Block Grants to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. In Vermont, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) administers these funds to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont and regionally grown specialty crops.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by–

1. Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops
2. Assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops
3. Expanding availability and access to specialty crops
4. Addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers

Eligibility

Any business, organization, or individual can apply to the Vermont SCBGP. However, projects must benefit more than one specialty crop business, organization, or individual to be eligible for funding. Applicants should describe how a project will benefit a specialty crop industry, a group of producers or businesses, or the public rather than a single business or organization. 

We encourage businesses, organizations, or individuals to collaborate with industry representatives, such as members of producer associations, to ensure that the project will benefit multiple businesses and address specialty crop industry needs. Connect with a producer association today! 

Applicants must follow USDA guidelines for eligible costs. See Appendix B: Allowable Costs & Activities, in the 2024 VT SCBGP Request for Applications for an overview of these guidelines.