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SACRAMENTO, AUGUST 15, 2025 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting proposals for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the 2026 SCBGP Technical Review Committee (TRC).
2026 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Each year, CDFA conducts a two-phase competitive solicitation process to award funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Grant awards will range from $100,000 to $500,000 per project; projects may last for up to two years and eight months. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and Tribal government entities (federally and non-federally recognized); and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply.
Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Please review the 2026 Request for Concept Proposals (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/docs/2026_request_for_concept_proposals.pdf) for detailed application instructions. The Additional Assistance for Limited Resource Applicants Request for Concept Proposals will be released in November 2025.
All applicants must register online using the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) (https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov/) to apply. Concept Proposals must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Thursday, September 11, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PT.
CDFA will conduct a series of webinars featuring an overview of the program, a review of Concept Proposal questions, and a demonstration of the FAAST application system. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit CDFA's SCBGP website (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants) for full details; contact CDFA's Office of Grants Administration at [email protected] or call (916) 657-3231 for additional information.
2026 TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The TRC is comprised of volunteers with knowledge and expertise regarding California's specialty crop industry. The committee reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to CDFA on proposals submitted for funding to California's SCBGP.
Interested individuals must submit a completed application form and a copy of their résumé/CV to [email protected] before 5:00 p.m. PT on Monday, September 15, 2025. Please reference the first page of the application form for requirements and restrictions. For more information and to download the application, please visit CDFA's SCBGP website (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/); contact CDFA's Office of Grants Administration at [email protected], or call (916) 657-3231 for additional information.
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