The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), overseen by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Texas through funding initiatives that address key industry challenges. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops such as floriculture. The program supports efforts in areas such as food safety, marketing, nutrition, plant health, and value-added or industry development. Projects should demonstrate measurable outcomes that benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole rather than focusing on a single organization, institution, or individual.

Eligible applicants include Texas state agencies, universities, institutions, and producer-, industry-, or community-based organizations involved with or promoting specialty crops. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of the Texas specialty crop industry and provide broad benefits to the public or the industry rather than advancing the interests of a single entity. Proposals must clearly articulate how the funds will contribute to these goals.

Applications are due by Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Applicants must use the provided 2025 Request for Grant Application and other relevant resources, such as the Specialty Crop Performance Measures guide, to prepare their submissions. The program strictly prohibits the use of funds for projects benefiting specific commercial products or for-profit endeavors of individual entities.

SCBGP encourages applicants to address pressing issues within the specialty crop sector while proposing innovative solutions that will have a measurable and meaningful impact. Past projects funded by the program include initiatives that improved market access, promoted consumer awareness, and supported research to solve industry challenges. Applicants can refer to examples of funded projects from previous years for inspiration.

For questions or additional assistance, applicants can contact Kat Neilson, Lead Grants Specialist, by phone at (512) 463-6695 or via email at Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov. To stay informed about funding opportunities, individuals can sign up for email notifications through the TDA website.