Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Mississippi)

USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by MDAC; competitive grants that solely enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi specialty crops. Authorized by the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 and the 2018 Farm Bill; state departments of agriculture award the funds. Recurring annual cycle: the FY2026 RFP is available, with completed application packets due 5:00 p.m. CST on April 1, 2026.

Mississippi non-federal entities and individuals proposing projects that enhance specialty-crop competitiveness.

No per-project award ceiling or floor is published. The FY2026 MDAC Request for Proposals states no maximum or minimum grant request. The statewide allocation was also unknown at publication: "Each state submitting an application that is approved by USDA will receive an estimated base plus an additional amount based on the most recent available value of specialty crop cash receipts in the state. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is awaiting the estimated funding allocation for FY2026." The RFP carries a disclaimer that "USDA has not yet announced funding availability" and that MDAC "is under no obligation to fund project applications."

Match: none required. "The SCBGP does not have a Federal cost-sharing or matching requirement." An applicant may volunteer cost share, but then must document the source and valuation.

Budget caps within an award: "Requests for personnel/fringe cannot exceed 30% of the total budget." Travel is limited to federal per-diem rates and "a maximum of two travelers per trip." Contractor/consultant hourly rates above a GS-15 step 10 federal salary require written justification.

Project period: "Specialty crop block grant funds will be made available around September 30, 2026. Funded projects must be completed by September 29, 2028" — roughly a two-year performance window.

Supplanting is barred: grant funds must add to, not replace, funds already committed to specialty crops.

Submit a completed application packet to MDAC per the annual RFP (FY2026 deadline April 1, 2026). Recurs annually.