Specialty Crop Block Grants

Non-profit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities and other agricultural groups are encouraged to apply for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. DATCP seeks applicants that will enhance the competitiveness of Wisconsin's specialty crop industries in domestic and foreign markets.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds are to be used to benefit the entire specialty crop industry as a whole and not provide direct profit to a specific organization, institution or individual.

Specialty crops are defined in law as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. A more comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops is at: US Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Program.

Note: The Specialty Crop Block Grant application period is closed. Check back towards the end of the year for announcements about the next application period.

For more information, contact:

Juli Speck
Grants Manager
(608) 224-5134
Juli.Speck@wisconsin.gov

2019 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is accepting proposals for the 2019 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. A federal grant program offered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the purpose of the SCMP is to competitively award funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by funding collaborative, multi-state projects that address regional or national level specialty crop issues, including food safety, plant pests and disease, research; crop-specific projects addressing common issues; and marketing and promotion.

Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Review the 2019 SCMP Request for Applications for detailed application instructions.

Grant awards will range from $250,000 to $1 million per project and projects may last for up to three years. Specialty crop producer associations and groups, state government agencies, Tribal government entities, universities, nonprofits, and other stakeholder organizations are all eligible to apply. All SCMP proposals must include at least two partners (referred to as "multi-state partners") with substantive involvement in the project, and the multi-state partners must be located in two different states to qualify for the program.

Note: The deadline to submit SCMP proposals to Wisconsin is 4:00 p.m. CST on September 1, 2019. Proposals must be submitted electronically to juli.speck@wi.gov. Click on the application materials below. Questions regarding the SCMP should be emailed to juli.speck@wi.gov

SCMP Budget Template            SCMP Project Narrative Template

 SCMP Application Checklist       SCMP Outcome Measures Template 

About the Specialty Crop program

The goal of the Specialty Crop program at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is to help specialty crop producers overcome obstacles, make their operation more profitable, and help them grow. We do this through field days, educational materials, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance.

We can provide assistance or connect you with resources that address:

• Production issues
  
• Profitability
  
• Financing or financial management
  
• Organic Certification
  
• Marketing
  
• Distribution
  
• Transitioning
  
• Regulatory Hurdles

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