Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) — South Dakota

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), administered in South Dakota by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service funds, awards competitive grants that enhance the competitiveness of South Dakota specialty crops — fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture/nursery crops including floriculture. Funds support projects that increase consumption, expand market access, improve food safety, address pest and disease control, advance environmental sustainability, develop new seed varieties, and expand research and development.

Non-federal stakeholders in the South Dakota specialty crop industry, including state, local, or tribal governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, research institutions and institutions of higher education, for-profit businesses, and individual producers. Awards run on a three-year period of performance (FY2026 projects: Sept 30, 2026 – Sept 29, 2029).

Submit a complete application packet (Application Cover Sheet, Project Profile Template, plus project and budget narratives) as a fillable PDF electronically to DANR; a SAM.gov Unique Entity Identification number is required. FY2026 applications were due March 22, 2026, 11:59 PM CT with grants awarded September 2026; the program recurs annually with roughly $325,000 available to South Dakota. RFP and forms at danr.sd.gov.