New Jersey Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) (SCBGP)

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture administers funding made available through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to carry out projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. For this program, "specialty crops" are defined as vegetables and fruits (including grapes for wine), nuts, horticultural products including Christmas trees, honey, herbs, potatoes, sweet corn, and other specialty crops including algae. Not eligible: feed crops, food grains, seafood, livestock, dairy, poultry and eggs, range grasses, and oilseed crops.

Eligible applicants are organizations whose projects enhance the competitiveness of New Jersey specialty crops in domestic or foreign markets. Applications should describe how the project affects and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public, rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners rather than sole applicants.

The NJDA received $1,023,883.78 in USDA-AMS program funding for the round. Applicants may request up to $40,000 in grant funding. No cost-share or matching requirement.

Interested organizations submit project proposals through the SimpliGov portal by the annual deadline. The 2026 round closed May 14, 2026; NJDA advises checking the program page in Winter 2027 for the next application cycle. There is no cost-share or matching requirement.