Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) — Alabama

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) administers USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds through an annual competitive process to enhance the competitiveness of Alabama specialty crops. Eligible crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, Christmas trees, turf-type grasses, and nursery crops (floriculture/horticulture). Projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in domestic or foreign markets. Funds may not be used for projects benefiting a single organization/individual, for fixed assets or personal property, for pre-award expenses, or for administrative/indirect costs. [Institutional: grants awarded to organizations/producer groups, not direct payments to individual farms.]

Non-profit organizations, government entities, for-profit organizations, industry trade associations, producer groups, commodity commissions, and public/private colleges and universities that submit projects to enhance the production and competitiveness of Alabama's specialty crop industries.

Annual cycle. FY2026 timeline (per site): February 2026 — ADAI invitation to submit proposals; March 26, 2026 — full grant proposals due to ADAI; May 2026 — ADAI state application submitted to USDA; September 2026 — USDA award announcements. Apply using the Alabama Specialty Crop Application/Project Profile template (requires Adobe). The 2026 proposal deadline has passed; the program reopens annually.