Ohio Specialty Crop Producer Block Grant

Grant funding is provided by the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service. Grants range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $150,000. In addition, all applicants must provide a minimum match of 25 percent of the requested grant amount.

Project proposals are sought that will advance the long-term economic viability of the state’s specialty crop industry, while increasing the marketability of specialty crops. Higher rankings will be given to projects that demonstrate profit potential for growers and that could boost employment opportunities in the specialty crop industry.

Food and agricultural non-profit organizations, associations or commodity groups, universities and research institutions are eligible to submit specialty crop proposals. Projects that have a focus on the benefit a particular commercial product, or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual will not be considered.

USDA General Terms and Conditions can be found here. Please sure to select the terms and conditions specific to your projects award year. 

Ohio’s SCBG Request for Proposals is now closed.

2025 Request for Proposals (RFP)

PLEASE SEE RFP FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY. PLEASE NOTE, THERE ARE SEVERAL PARTS TO THIS YEAR’S APPLICATION, LISTED BELOW:

1. 2025 OH SCBG Applicant Information Form

2. USDA Project Profile Template

3. A PDF of appendices, which should include:

   1. An abstract or executive summary of your project (300 words or less)

   2. A budget outline of your 25% match

   3. Three letters of support for your project

   4. Current résumés for each individual working on the project

   5. Copy of IRS 501(c)3 determination, if applicable

Below is an estimate of the timeline for Ohio’s 2025 SCBG Program.

• January 2025: Gather stakeholder input/feedback

• Feb. 3, 2025 – Mar. 3, 2025: Ohio SCBG

• February 18, 2025: SCBG Application Webinar

• March 2025: Internal application review

• Early April 2025: Review Panel and project selection

• Mid-April 2025: Ohio recommendations and revisions to proposals

• Early May 2025: Submit selections to USDA (this is based on historically when applications were due to USDA)

• May – September 2025: USDA recommendations/revisions

• September- October 2025: ODA contract w/ projects (This will be after revisions are complete and USDA accepts them. This date could be later depending on plan revisions and how long they take).

• Proposal Instructions

• SCBGP Performance Progress Report Template Instructions (pdf)

• 2025 OH SCBG Applicant Information Form

• USDA Project Profile Template

• What is a Specialty Crop?

• One-Minute Overview of SCBGP

• Previous SCBGP Awards

Due dates vary depending on award year. Please click here to review due dates.

Quarterly Reimbursements and Reporting:

• Reimbursement Request Form

• Quarterly Report Form

Annual Reports:

All annual and final reports are due December 1 each year. Project reports should cover their performance period, which is September 30 through September 29 each year.

• Annual Report Template (for awards made 2021 and prior)

• Annual Report Template (for awards made 2022 and after)

For directions on completing your report template, please refer to the document below. 

• SCBGP Performance Progress Report Template Instructions (pdf)

Please refer to the below documents for additional information on outcomes and indicators. Please refer to the document for the year your project was awarded.

• Specialty Crop Outcomes and Indicators (Awarded 2022 and forward)

• Specialty Crop Outcomes and Indicators (Awarded 2021 and prior)

**Grant Amendments: **

Below are examples of changes that require prior approval and examples of those requests. Please refer to your project agreement and USDA General Terms and Conditions for additional information.

• Budget Change (pdf)

• Change of Scope (pdf)

• Extension of Grant Agreement (pdf)

• Special Purpose Equipment (pdf)