Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) — South Carolina

The SC Department of Agriculture receives annual USDA-AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant funding, awarded to projects that enhance the competitiveness of South Carolina's specialty crop industry (fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, nursery/floriculture). Producer, industry, and community-based specialty-crop organizations apply; a portion of funds flows to individual growers via SCDA sub-award cost-share programs.

Applications accepted only from producer, industry, or community-based organizations involved with specialty crops. Each project must demonstrate it enhances the competitiveness of a SC specialty crop industry and benefit specialty crops broadly. Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

No per-award ceiling or floor is published. SCDA states only: "Projects may be funded at varying levels, depending on the nature of the project. SCDA reserves the right to alter project budgets as needed, prior to the award process." Award amounts are set project by project — a two-step competitive review scores eligible applications, then a selection committee "will determine which projects will be funded and the amount for which each one will be awarded."

Match: none. "No federal cost sharing or matching requirement. Cost share/match should not be included in the submitted application nor subsequent performance or financial reports."

Size of the state pool (not a per-award figure): USDA-AMS had not announced the current year's allocation at the time of writing, but "over the last five years, the SCDA has been awarded an average of $586,688.00 in Specialty Crop Block Grant funds." SCDA may also retain a portion for internally conducted projects such as outreach, regulatory and marketing activities, and trainings.

How you are paid: as a reimbursed subaward. Each subrecipient must have an adequate accounting system and internal controls, and must keep expenditure and reimbursement records "for a minimum of three years after the conclusion of the project."

Pre-award costs: allowable up to 90 calendar days before the project start date once your project is included in the accepted State Plan, without prior approval — but "[a]ll costs incurred before USDA makes the award to SCDA are at the applicant's risk."

Project length: published, and applicant's choice within a cap — "Projects funded by the SCBGP may be 1, 2, or 3 years in length, but must be completed within three years." For the current round SCDA "will fund projects for this RFA between September 30, 2025, and September 29, 2028."

Eligibility limit that shapes award size: "Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual."

Apply through SCDA Grants Administration during the annual solicitation (recurring; contingent on USDA-AMS funding). Program guidance and FAQs at agriculture.sc.gov/specialty-crop-block-grant. Contact the SCBGP program office for the current cycle's forms and deadline.