Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

Grants to North Dakota nonprofits, for-profits, government agencies, and IHEs to improve the market for specialty agricultural crops produced within the State. Specialty crops are defined as vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, nursery crops (including floriculture), tree nuts, and horticulture. Funding is intended to support areas such as research, food safety, educational outreach, the development of new seed varieties, and disease and pest control.

To be eligible for a grant, the project(s) must "solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets." Projects must also benefit more than one commercial product (e.g., ABC Company brand), organization, or individual.

Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems and environmental concerns and conservation.

Eligible plants must be intensively cultivated and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops. Processed products shall constitute greater than 50% of the specialty crop by weight, exclusive of added water.

Examples of Acceptable Projects:

• A university requests funding to conduct research on the feasibility of planting, cultivating, and growing a specialty crop in a particular area, the results of which will be shared with many growers throughout the state during the project.
• A single grower requests funds to demonstrate the viability of organic small fruit production and partners with an extension service to publicize the working model of diversification to other regional growers.
• A single company requests funds to provide a viable pollination alternative to specialty crop stakeholders in a region that currently does not have one.
• A single non-profit organization requests funds to conduct an advertising campaign that will benefit their specialty crop members.
• A single farmer erects high tunnels on his/her property to extend the growing season of tomatoes and lettuce and conducts a field day and farm tour to encourage other small family farmers to adopt the production methods. 

Program Priorities:

• Providing Farmer Education on Specialty Crop:
• Farm-to-institution practices
• Value-added production
• Disease and pest management
• Farm and food safety
• Organic and non-organic food production
• Use of beneficial organisms
• Business development
• Supporting Research in the Areas of Specialty Crop:
• Disease and pest management
• Variety testing and selection
• Organic and non-organic food production
• Use of beneficial organisms
• Adaptability and Resiliency
• Planning and Supporting Infrastructures that Create or Support Specialty Crop:
• Storage
• Processing
• Farm to institute
• Pest management assistance for farmers
• Increasing Consumer Awareness of the Value of Specialty Crops Through:
• Education
• Market Development

For information on Funding Restrictions, see: https://www.nd.gov/ndda/sites/default/files/Specialty%20Crop%20Grant%20Manual%202021%20-%20Additional%20Funding.pdf#page=19