Maine Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a federal grant program that offers funding to projects that enhance the competitiveness of Maine-grown and harvested specialty crops. The Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and a review committee select Maine projects to fund through a competitive application process; selected projects are submitted to the USDA for review and approval to be administered by Maine DACF. SCBGP-funded projects must benefit Maine's specialty crop industry and may not be intended to support an individual business or organization.

Since 2002, the program has awarded over $7.5 million to Maine DACF to support specialty crop producers. Each year, DACF facilitates an SCBGP Request for Applications and evaluates applications through a competitive, statewide process. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Open to Maine agricultural organizations, educational institutions, specialty crop groups and cooperatives, municipalities, and producers. Projects must benefit Maine's specialty crop industry as a whole and may not be intended to support an individual business or organization. Funded projects have supported research into key commodities, pest management strategies, school initiatives, food safety, and marketing.

Federal formula funding; projects must enhance the competitiveness of Maine specialty crops and are submitted to USDA for approval. Recent (2025) awards ranged from approximately $22,965 to $100,000 per project. Grantees submit quarterly, annual, and final reports.

Each year DACF facilitates a Request for Applications, published to the Division of Procurement Services RFP and RFA website. For further information about the grant program, applications, or current projects, contact DACF at (207) 287-3491.