New Hampshire Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (NHDAMF) is eligible to receive funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the annual Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The NHDAMF offers eligible New Hampshire organizations the opportunity to apply for a portion of these funds under the New Hampshire Specialty Crops Grant Program to conduct projects that benefit New Hampshire Specialty Crops. Specialty Crops are defined as: fruit, vegetable, nursery, floriculture, herb, maple, Christmas tree and honey crops. For a complete list of eligible and ineligible crops visit the USDA AMS website.

NH SCBGP H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding

In addition to the regular SCBGP funding authorized the federal Farm Bill, the United States Congress awarded extra one-time SCBGP funding to state departments of agriculture due to the COVID-19 impacts on the food system under House Resolution 133 (“H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding”). This funding is available to eligible organizations and groups to conduct projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in New Hampshire, via an application process.

NHDAMF is seeking proposals from eligible commodity groups, agriculture organizations, colleges and universities, municipalities, state agencies, and non-profit organizations for this grant program, provided their proposals meet all the specifications in this Request for Applications and the USDA’s Notice of Federal Assistance. These projects must aim to enhance the production and competitiveness of New Hampshire specialty crops. In order to be eligible to participate, applicants must reside in, or their business or educational affiliation must be in the State of New Hampshire.

• Grants are not available to offset the grantee’s normal operating expenses.

• Funding is not available for political support purposes or memberships in professional societies or trade organizations.

• Grant funds may not be used for programs the applicant is already funding.

• Funds may not be used for construction purposes.

• Funding is not available for individuals or businesses (must be a recognized entity as described above).

• Preference will be given to those proposals that appear to give the broadest benefit to the New Hampshire Specialty Crop industry.

• Projects must be completed by September 29, 2025.

• Projects cannot begin until the USDA has made their official award announcement (expected in September 2022) and approvals have been obtained from New Hampshire authorities.

• Do not plan on funds being available for the project until March of 2023.

• The project final report will be due in December, 2025 (if the project is completed in 2023 or 2024, the final report will be due that year). 

• 2022 NH SCBG Program and Application Details

• 2022 Application Cover Page

• Federal SCBG Application Template

• NH SCBG H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding Program and Application Details