The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) administers the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Farm Bill. The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by supporting projects that improve distribution, nutrition knowledge, sustainability, food safety, and research related to specialty crops. These grants are allocated to state departments of agriculture, which then distribute the funds to eligible applicants through a competitive process.

Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include state and local organizations, producer associations, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. Individual businesses or entities that would derive exclusive commercial benefit from the funding are not eligible. Instead, projects must demonstrate a broad impact on the specialty crop industry as a whole. Examples of eligible project areas include pest and disease control, developing new and improved seed varieties, implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), enhancing food safety measures, and promoting the consumption of specialty crops.

SCBGP funds are awarded for projects with a duration of up to two years. To be considered for funding, applicants must submit a complete application packet, including a cover sheet, a project profile template, and all required supporting documentation. The application deadline for the 2025 grant cycle is March 17, 2025, at 11:59:59 p.m. MST. AZDA also offers resources such as webinars and grant manuals to help applicants understand the requirements and submission process.

Projects will be evaluated based on their ability to enhance specialty crop competitiveness and produce measurable outcomes. The review process will consider factors such as project feasibility, alignment with program goals, and the potential impact on the industry. AZDA strongly encourages applicants to design projects with clear, data-driven goals and objectives.

For additional information or assistance with the application process, interested parties can contact Lisa James at (602) 542-3262 or scbgp@azda.gov, or Ashley Estes at (602) 316-6775. A toll-free number, (800) 294-0308, is also available for applicants outside Maricopa County.