The South Carolina Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a competitive funding opportunity administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This program provides financial support for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in South Carolina. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. The program aims to promote research, food safety, market expansion, pest control, and environmental sustainability for specialty crop production.

The primary objective of the SCBGP is to fund projects that directly benefit the specialty crop industry by increasing production, consumption, and market access. The program encourages projects that involve partnerships between multiple organizations to create a more significant statewide impact. Eligible applicants include producer groups, industry associations, and community-based organizations involved in specialty crop promotion. Individual businesses, single institutions, or for-profit entities are not eligible unless their project benefits the entire industry rather than just their organization.

Funding under this program is awarded on a competitive basis, and the total allocation for South Carolina is determined by USDA based on the state’s specialty crop production value and acreage. In previous years, South Carolina has received an average of $586,688 in grant funding. The grant period for awarded projects spans up to three years, with a funding period beginning on September 30, 2025, and ending on September 29, 2028. Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must incur project expenses before receiving funds.

Applicants must submit a detailed proposal demonstrating how their project will enhance specialty crop competitiveness, provide measurable outcomes, and align with the program’s funding priorities. Projects must focus on specific areas such as food safety, crop research, market expansion, supply chain improvements, pest and disease management, environmental sustainability, and education initiatives that promote specialty crop consumption. Proposals must include a budget narrative justifying all costs and demonstrating the project’s potential for long-term industry benefits.

The application process includes a two-step competitive review, where external agricultural experts evaluate and score applications based on criteria such as project purpose, external support, measurable outcomes, and budget justification. The highest-ranking proposals are presented to a selection committee, which determines final funding awards. Successful applicants must comply with all federal and state reporting requirements, including performance reports that track project progress and impact. Grant recipients must maintain financial records and provide proper documentation for all expenses.

Applications for the 2025 SCBGP must be submitted via email by 11:59 p.m. on February 14, 2025. Each applicant must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM). Award notifications are expected by April 25, 2025. Projects that align with USDA’s national specialty crop priorities and provide measurable economic or environmental benefits to South Carolina’s specialty crop industry will receive priority consideration.