New Jersey Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) (SCMP)

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture participates in the USDA Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) to support collaborative multi-state partnerships that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through competitively funded projects. Multi-state partners develop projects that bring together teams to solve practical problems crossing state boundaries and address the needs of specialty crop growers in food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, and marketing and promotion. For the 2026 program, USDA-AMS announced $14.3 million in competitive grant funding nationally.

Applicants are organizations and multi-state partnerships (not individual farmers). Entities residing in New Jersey must apply through NJDA; entities residing in a participating state are ineligible to apply directly to AMS. Entities in a non-participating state may apply to AMS directly or contact NJDA if the project seeks to collaborate with New Jersey-based entities and/or enhance the competitiveness of the New Jersey specialty crop industry. All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated, and located within the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

All project area types are 3-year projects with funding ranging between $250,000 and $1,000,000.

New Jersey-based multi-state partners submit applications by email to NJDA.Grants@ag.nj.gov no later than October 16, 2026. Applications received after the due date are subject to AMS Policies and Procedures. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to Billy (William) Conners, Contract Administrator, before submitting; NJDA provides guidance and support during the grant-writing process. A 2026 SCMP applicant webinar is posted on the program webpage.