Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) — Maryland

The Maryland Department of Agriculture administers USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds (allocation based on Maryland specialty-crop acreage and production value each year) through an annual competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit, and government stakeholders. Purpose is to enhance the competitiveness of Maryland specialty crops including fruits and vegetables, culinary herbs and spices, honey, hops, grapes, maple syrup, Christmas trees, and nursery crops. MDA anticipates approximately $400,000 available; awards are subject to USDA General Terms and Conditions effective December 31, 2025. Projects benefiting only a single organization, business, institution, or individual are not fundable. [Institutional grant, but individual producers may apply if broader industry benefit is demonstrated.]

Nonprofits, government entities, industry organizations, producer groups, and colleges/universities. Individual producers may apply only if the project demonstrates broader impact for a similar group of producers or industry segment (e.g., a farmer installing high tunnels who then holds a field day to encourage adoption). Projects that only benefit/profit a single entity are ineligible.

Award size. "Competitive grants will be awarded for projects with a minimum of $15,000." No ceiling is published; instead MDA discloses the historical spread — "The Maryland SCBGP grants have ranged from $15,000 - $140,000." Treat $140,000 as the top of past awards, not a stated cap.

Funding pool. "MDA anticipates approximately $400,000 SCBGP funds based on available funding" — this is the total available across all awards, not a per-project figure.

Project length. "SCBGP grant funds will be awarded for projects up to 2 years in duration and must conclude by November 15, 2028."

Match. No cash or in-kind match requirement is published for this program.

Cost restriction that materially affects your budget. "Indirect costs are unallowable" — overhead cannot be recovered, so the full award must go to direct project costs.

Conditions on who benefits. "Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that only benefit or provide profit to a single organization, business, institution or individual." An individual producer can still be funded if the project spreads the benefit — MDA's own example is a farmer who erects high tunnels and then "conducts a field day and farm tour to encourage other small family farmers to adopt the production methods," while "a specialty crop producer requests funds to promote their asparagus at a roadside stand" is unacceptable.

Support requirement. "Applicants must have the support of a specific specialty crop organization or group with at least three specialty crop producers." Letters of support must be submitted. Applicants must reside in Maryland or have a Maryland business or educational affiliation, and "More than one project application per applicant may be submitted."

Federal terms attach to the award. Funds "will be subject to USDA's General Terms and Conditions, Effective December 31, 2025," which applicants are urged to read before applying.

Annual competitive process. Approximately $400,000 anticipated; applicants must review USDA General Terms and Conditions (effective Dec 31, 2025) before applying. Grantee performance report deadline is November 15, 2026. Apply through MDA's SCBGP process (contact the program manager for the current cycle's solicitation and application template).