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SACRAMENTO, September 25, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced funding for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). California received $24.2 million out of approximately $72.9 million awarded nationwide.
The SCBGP is a grant program included in the Farm Bill and provides grants to state departments of agriculture to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). California is the country's largest producer of specialty crops. CDFA will fund 50 different projects with this grant.
The projects focus on increasing sales of specialty crops by leveraging the unique qualities of specialty crops grown in California; increasing consumption by expanding the specialty crop consumer market, improving availability, and providing nutritional education for consumers; investing in training for growers, producers, and operators to address current and future challenges; and conducting research on conservation and environmental outcomes, pest control and disease, and organic and sustainable production practices.
The Buy California Marketing Agreement was awarded $2.8 million to establish the Explore CA GROWN Goodness campaign by designing and implementing educational programs and marketing promotions to increase awareness and consumption of California Grown commodities.
Among the environmental stewardship and conservation projects funded, the University Corporation at Monterey Bay was awarded $493,875 to develop cost-effective, easy-to-use decision tools for water use on small vegetable farms.
The SCBGP Additional Assistance Program provides a process through which organizations supporting low-resource California farmers and communities can participate and successfully implement their SCBGP projects. Among the eight projects awarded this year, Color the Block, a non-profit organization, will receive $250,000 to support the Roots to Harvest project, which aims to enhance agricultural education in South Sacramento communities by establishing school gardens where students will learn how to grow, maintain, and harvest specialty crops. Through hands-on workshops, students will gain business and leadership skills related to agricultural entrepreneurship, best management practices, and
healthy food consumption. Also, Will Love Community Programs, also a non-profit organization, will receive $244,544 to host a series of educational programs in South Los Angeles centering on the role of specialty crops in the prevention, management, and treatment of major health concerns.
Additionally, CDFA is continuing its partnership with the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) in the evaluation and recommendation of food safety related projects. CPS was awarded five projects totaling $2.1 million. These projects fund research for actions and effective strategies to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The 2025 SCBGP project abstracts are available online: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/docs/2025_project_descriptions.pdf
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