Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) - Washington

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill, administered in Washington by WSDA, funds projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Funding Year 2027 competitive process is a two-phase process expected to award an estimated $4.7 million: a Phase I Concept Proposal followed by a Phase II Full Grant Proposal (by invitation only). FY2027 projects have a performance period beginning no earlier than 9/30/27 and ending no later than 9/29/30. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Acceptable projects benefit the specialty crop industry broadly rather than a single organization or a for-profit's own production. The program is authorized under section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (as amended by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) and implemented under 7 CFR part 1291.

Eligible organizations include industry associations, producer groups, commodity commissions, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, local/state/federal government entities, and educational institutions. Projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and cannot benefit a single organization, institution, or individual; they must provide a public or industry-wide benefit. Requests to buy starter plants or equipment to grow specialty crops for a single organization's profit, or to promote a single organization to increase membership, are not acceptable.

Applicants must apply online following the instructions and requirements in the Request for Proposals (RFP). For Funding Year 2027, the deadline to submit a Phase I Concept Proposal is 12:00 p.m. (PST) on October 30, 2026; late submittals are not accepted. Successful Phase I applicants are invited to submit a Phase II Full Grant Proposal. The FY2026 RFP is available to download for program requirements and eligibility, and the FY2027 RFP is forthcoming.