Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

USDA/AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) For Georgia

2026 Request for Applications RFA (PDF)

Proposal/Application template: USDA Template (PDF)
(Please note: you must DOWNLOAD the template, then open it from your computer, not directly from the browser.)

Instructions (to be used in conjunction with the RFA): USDA Template Guide

Applications must be RECEIVED by GDA by NOON on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026. No exceptions/extensions. Send only to grants@agr.georgia.gov. Late or Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Note that ONLY Georgia-based (headquartered) grower associations, commodity commissions, colleges/universities, local governments, state governments, and/or current IRS-designated non-profits (in partnership with a Georgia college or university if applying for the 1st time) may submit an application for this grant: Individuals and businesses (including farms) are not eligible to apply for the SCBGP in Georgia.

After reading the RFA, please direct any questions (in writing, no calls please) to grants@agr.georgia.gov

About the SCBGP

The purpose of the SCBGP is to provide funding for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Georgia. Your proposal must focus on research, education, or marketing, and it must benefit the specialty crop industry.

Specialty crops eligible for the SCBGP are: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turf grass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops (including floriculture). See a full detailed list at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

The current funding priorities for the SCBGP for Georgia are

increasing consumption of specialty crops in Georgia’s schools,
enhancing specialty crop food safety,
helping the industry develop improved practices,
increasing sales and marketability for commercially grown specialty crops, and
research projects.

Got a suggestion for other funding priorities? Contact us at the email below.

We aim to fund projects that benefit Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Applications will be scored based on their potential impact on Georgia’s Specialty Crop industry.

Who can apply

Your group MUST be based in Georgia.
Your group MUST fall into one of the following categories: grower associations, commodity commissions, colleges, universities, state/local governments, and IRS-designated non-profits (in partnership with a Georgia college or university).
Individuals and businesses (including farms) are NOT eligible to apply for the SCBGP.
Non-profit organizations that are applying for the first time MUST partner with a principal Investigator (PI) from a Georgia college or university, preferably from either of Georgia’s Land Grant institutions (UGA or FVSU).
If you have submitted the same project to GDA twice in the past and it hasn’t been funded, it cannot be submitted again. You’re welcome to submit a new project for consideration.