Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 2021

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 in Main

Jan. 19, 2020

The Hawaii State Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is currently administering competitive request for proposal process to award federal funds for proposals that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Hawaii.  The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Act), was signed on December 20, 2018, and will remain in force through 2022.  The 2018 Farm Act reauthorized specialty crop block grants, with the amount of the grant to the states based on the value and acreage of specialty crop production in the state.  The grants were authorized as part of an effort to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and provide resources to strengthen American agriculture.  These grants are to be utilized by state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

To submit a proposal, go to the Hawai`i Awards & Notices Data System website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/  . The application deadline is 12:00 Noon Hawaii Standard Time on Friday, February 12, 2021.

To view the webinar with tips on applying for the SCBGP, go to HDOA’s YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/4M5eWuxDspo

To view FAQs on this grant, go to: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/add/files/2021/01/SCBGP-FY21_FAQs_updated-1.21.21.pdf

 

The SCBGP is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which is required to report on the outcomes of the SCBGP at a national scale to demonstrate the performance of the program.  To meet this requirement, the AMS has published new performance measures that are included in these guidelines and must be submitted within the SCBGP Project Template in response to this Request for Proposal (RFP-21-03-MDB) solicitation.

Awards in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 per project will be considered with higher amounts considered for projects with extraordinary statewide benefit or exceptional merit and benefit to the specialty crop industry.  Projects shall be completed within 24 months.  Matching funds, either in-kind or cash, are not required, however, applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of matching funds, either in-kind or cash, which will be calculated into the scoring criteria.  Letters of support from project partners and supporters describing their commitment as a partner or their level of support are encouraged.

Funds will likely be available in January 2022.  Due to the limited funds, funding to an eligible organization is likely limited to one project in this funding cycle.

For Submission Procedures, refer to Section IV.  For Application Procedures and Requirements, refer to Section I. below.

To view the news release on the opening of this grant, go to: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr-scbgp2021/

For more information regarding the SCBGP, contact the Market Development Branch at [email protected]