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). 

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.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture anticipates that grant monies will be available to successful applicants by late 2022. AZDA may place a per applicant cap on grant awards.

• SCBPG 2022 Grant Manual

• 2021 Arizona Specialty Crop Guide