March 7, 2025
VDACS is Accepting Applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
~ Specialty crop block grant applications must be submitted prior to 5 p.m. on April 2 ~

Richmond, Va. - The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service provides VDACS with Specialty Crop Block Grant funding to increase the competitiveness of Virginia specialty crops in the marketplace.

VDACS will accept grant proposals of up to $100,000 per project from state and local government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and agricultural associations, industry and producer groups. Individual producers are not eligible to apply for this grant. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Applications received after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, will not be considered for funding. The duration of each grant is up to two years, and the grant period is expected to begin Oct. 1, 2025.

Please note that applicants should use the 2024 application form. The form might be updated if federal guidelines change. The application form is available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/sales-specialty-crop-competitive-grant-program.shtml. To receive direct notification of the availability of a new 2025 form, potential applicants should email melissa.ball@vdacs.virginia.gov. Funding of selected projects is contingent upon the availability of federal funding.

Two virtual information sessions will be held to detail the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program round of funding

• Wednesday, March 19 at 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m.

Please visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/sales-specialty-crop-competitive-grant-program.shtml for session links and additional information including previous year’s guidelines, instructions, and application for the Specialty Crop Competitive Grant.

Applications, along with any questions, should be sent to Janelle Otieno at janelle.otieno@vdacs.virginia.gov, or by mailing VDACS, Specialty Crop Block Grant Application, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

Specialty crop competitive grant proposals must be specific and explain how an association, industry group or organization will use the funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Some examples include research, promotion and marketing plans, as well as food safety projects and projects that improve food access. In awarding USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds, VDACS will give priority to projects that have the sole purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops as they pertain to the following issues:

• Enhance food safety.
• Improve the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act and in cost-share arrangements for finding audits of such systems, including USDA GroupGAP, for small farmers, packers, and processors.
• Invest in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes.
• Develop new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.
• Improve pest and disease control.
• Increase child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
• Improve efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems.
• Enhance sustainability.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops to include floriculture. Visit www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop for more information on eligible and ineligible crops.