Colorado Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a federal grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of Colorado specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). For a list of eligible and ineligible commodities, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service website.

• Producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and/or local organizations, academia, and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply with projects lasting from approximately January 1, 2024 to November 15, 2025, either as single entities or in combined efforts.

• Proposals submitted by individual producers must demonstrate that the potential impact of the project will accrue to a broader group of similar producers, region or industry segment. Projects may not solely benefit individuals, individual operations, or individual companies or businesses.

• All projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of Colorado specialty crops.

As a change from last year, applicants for FFY23 SCBGP may provide a cash and/or in-kind matching contribution. This may increase the competitiveness of the application during the review process.

Before applying, read and follow all instructions in the FY23 SCBGP Concept Proposal Instructions. Then, complete a Concept Proposal and Submit to cda_scbgp@state.co.us by 5:00 P.M. on February 24, 2023. Concept Proposals must be saved as a Microsoft Word .docx file.

• FY23 SCBGP Concept Proposal Instructions

• Sample Concept Proposal

• Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities Table

• How to Obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI)

• USDA 2022 RFA

• USDA AMS Terms and Conditions