1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
This listing may be outdated. Verify details at the official source before applying.
Find similar grantsSpecialty Crop Block Grant Program Grants to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont specialty crops including fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, floriculture, honey, hops, maple, and mushrooms is sponsored by State of Vermont. <a class="widget__inner text-center text-black text-bold display-flex flex-column flex-justify-start height-full border-2px border-transparent radius-md margin-neg-2px" href="/grants/tradesho
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “State of Vermont” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
# Specialty Crop Block Grant Program | Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets An Official **Vermont** Government Website State of VermontAgency of Agriculture Food and Markets * Agriculture Innovation Board * Licensing & Registration Library * Water Quality Assistance * Working Lands Enterprise Initiative * Funding Opportunity Calendar * Resources for Grant Applicants & Recipients * Contracting Opportunities * Agricultural Development * Dairy Business Innovation Center * Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accountability * Land Use & Renewable Energy * License and Registrations * Plant Industry Division * Public Information | Public Records * Vermont Agriculture & Environmental Laboratory * Disaster Response and Recovery Resources * Agricultural Development * Dairy Business Innovation Center * Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accountability * Land Use & Renewable Energy * License and Registrations * Plant Industry Division * Public Information | Public Records * Vermont Agriculture & Environmental Laboratory * Disaster Response and Recovery Resources # Specialty Crop Block Grant Program **March 2, 2026:**Applications for the FY2026 Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is live!
The SCBGP is a USDA-funded initiative which aims to strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries and producer associations. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, maple syrup and mushrooms), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). Project applications can request $15,000 to $35,000 in federal funds.
VAAFM anticipates awarding 1-4 grants in 2026. Read theFY2026 Request for Applications for the Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Programhere. Project application will run from March 2, 2026 through March 30, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) awards Specialty Crop Block Grants to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. In Vermont, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) administers these funds to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont and regionally grown specialty crops.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by– 1. Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops 2. Assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops 3.
Expanding availability and access to specialty crops 4. Addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers USDA AMS supports projects that address the needs of U.S. specialty crop growers and strengthen local and regional food systems.
### Specialty Crops Definition U.S. statute [1] defines specialty crops as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). ” This definition includes culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants,hops, honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, and Christmas trees. Eligible processed products must consist of greater than 50% of the specialty crop by weight, exclusive of added water.
For specific crop eligibility, visitWhat is a Specialty Crop? Any entity may apply, provided they are equipped to provide support to producers or processors of a specialty crop product in Vermont.
This includes but is not limited to: * Non-profit organizations * Universities/colleges, including extension NEW FOR FY2026: Projects for the FY2026 application period must increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in Vermont by supporting businesses and organizations through **direct technical assistance, training, or tool development**. Project activities may include, but are not limited to: 1.
Direct technical assistance, such as consulting, planning, or development services 2. Program coordination that increases the reach or impact of technical assistance offerings 3. In-person trainings, workshops, and other educational offerings 4.
Development of online training programs, modules, or materials 5. Development of tools to help specialty crop businesses, such as online market portals, templates, calculators, dashboards, or other resources All requested funds must support project activities. Funds may be used for personnel, fringe, travel, supplies, contracting, or equipment.
All SCBGP costs must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. All costs must align with the USDA AMS General Terms and Conditions, Section 8. 2 (Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities).
Please refer directly to this document while developing your proposal. Note that as of **February 23, 2026**, these AMS Terms & Conditions have not yet been updated for FY2026. We will work with grantees on any changes to allowable costs upon release of the new Terms & Conditions.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, in partnership with statewide specialty crop stakeholders, identified the following program funding priorities for Vermont SCBGP programs. All grants must address one or more of these funding priorities. Funding priorities are not ranked.
* Disseminating or teaching innovative production practices to enhance farm viability and natural resource conservation * Pest and disease management * Enhancing food safety and capacity to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act or food safety audit program requirements * Value chain enhancement, including strengthening relationships between producers, aggregators, processors, distributors, retail businesses, and consumers * Addressing efficiency, conservation, business viability, workforce development, labor issues, succession planning, and other challenges facing specialty crop farmers * Market access (local, regional, national, or international), marketing, branding, and consumer education * Producer collaboration—including strengthening producer associations and cooperatives * We award SCBGP funds through a competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit and government stakeholders.
* In 2026, project requests must fall between $15,000 and $35,000. * 1-4 projects will be funded through this competitive process. * We will award grants for projects up to 2 years, 6 months in length.
## Multi-State Partnerships A multi-state partnership is a project that implements activities with measurable outcomes that benefit two or more U.S. States and/or Territories.
Multi-state partnerships are encouraged and should provide solutions to problems that cross state boundaries including, but not limited to, food safety; plant pests and disease; research; crop-specific projects addressing common issues; and marketing and promotion.
Applicants with multi-state partnership projects may also consider submitting those projects to theSpecialty Crop Multi-State Program(SCMP) via aParticipating State department of agriculture. 1. Download the 2026 Vermont SCBGP Request for Applications.
2. Review the WebGrants Application Guide. _If you have not previously registered in WebGrants, complete the registration form.
User registrations are approved in 1–2 business days. _ 1. Attend or view the 2025 Vermont SCBGP Information Session Webinar on March 5, 2026 at 2:00-3:00 PM.
Register at this link: https://bit. ly/2026SCBGPWebinar. A recording will be shared on this page for those unable to attend.
2. Submit your pre-application inWebGrantsby **March 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM**. An informational webinar will be held on March 5, 2026 to outline the grant application, requirements, and answer applicant questions.
You may view a recording of this webinar below.
### Deadlines & Key Dates #### **February 23, 2026** Request for Applications (RFA) released Application opens in WebGrants Deadline to submit an application Applicants notified of funding decisions Vermont Agency of Agriculture submits State Plan to USDA Grantees notified of USDA decisions (Adjustments may be required) * WebGrants Application Guide * How to Submit a Claim in WebGrants * Annual Performance Report Template(Grants awarded 2021 and earlier) * Annual Performance Report Examples(Grants awarded 2021 and earlier) * Final Performance Report Template(Grants awarded 2021 and earlier) [[1]](https://agriculture.
vermont. gov/specialtycrop) Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended under section 10107 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-343 (the Farm Bill.)
AGR. SpecialtyCrops@vermont. gov Montpelier, Vt 05620-2901 **Public****Records Requests Contact:** **Scott Waterman**| Director of Communications and Policy |Scott.
Waterman@vermont. gov * Licensing & Registration * Feed, Seed, Fertilizer & Lime * Working Lands Enterprise Initiative * Plant Industry Division * Consumer Protection / Weights & Measures
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: See the Vermont grants portal for complete eligibility requirements. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates See Vermont state grant listing for funding details. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.