Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is pleased to present the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) Grant Manual. The purpose of this program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Arizona. For purposes of the program, specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). 

Eligible Applicants and Projects

State and/or local organizations, producer associations, academia, community based organizations, and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply. SCBGP grant funds will be awarded for projects of up to 2 years duration. Examples of projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; participation of industry representatives at meetings of international standard setting bodies in which the U.S. government participates; improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chains in developing “Good Agricultural Practices”, “Good Handling Practices”, “Good Manufacturing Practices”, and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors; investing in specialty crop research, including organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes; enhancing food safety; developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; and sustainability. SCBGP funds shall be used for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole. Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Projects must enhance specialty crop industry competitiveness. Applications for grant funds should show how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture anticipates that grant monies will be available to successful applicants by late 2023. AZDA may place a per applicant cap on grant awards.

Submit your grant package at this portal.

Important Documents

Download these documents online

• SCBGP 2026 Grant Manual Final

• Appendix A - Checklist

• Appendix B - Application Cover Sheet Fill and Save

• Appendix C - SCBGP Project Profile Template Fillable** **

• Appendix I - Instructions for Submitting Completed Application Packets

• Appendix J - SCBGP Application Project Profile Quick Guide