The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has opened the application process for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), aims to boost the competitiveness of Arkansas’s specialty crop industry. Applications will be accepted until June 20, 2025.
Specialty crops, as defined by the USDA, include fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts. Eligible applicants for funding include universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry groups, community-based organizations, and individuals. Projects should aim to produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry or the public rather than benefit a single entity.
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects addressing key issues in the specialty crop sector. These include enhancing food safety and improving compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act through practices like “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” and “Good Manufacturing Practices.” There is also an emphasis on increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops among children and adults.
Research projects that focus on improving efficiency and reducing costs in distribution systems or pest and disease management are also encouraged. Other areas of interest include developing new seed varieties and specialty crops, investing in research with conservation and environmental outcomes in mind, and ensuring sustainability within the specialty crop sector.
Applications must request at least $20,000 in funding. A review committee will select projects to be included in Arkansas’s state plan. Interested parties can find more information on how to apply on the Department’s website. For further inquiries, Amy Lyman can be contacted at amy.lyman@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
Information from this article can be found here.
