Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a federal grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to enhance the competitiveness of Colorado specialty crops.
Specialty crops are defined as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)." A list of plants commonly considered specialty crops is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FFY 2026 Applications
How to Apply
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) will accept concept proposals between January 5, 2026 and February 13, 2026 for projects starting no earlier than January 1, 2027 and ending no later than November 15, 2028.
CDA anticipates awarding approximately $700,000 to FFY 2026 projects.
Producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local governments, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and other specialty crop stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Proposals submitted by individual producers must demonstrate that the potential impact of the project will accrue to a broader group of similar producers, region, or industry segment. Projects may not solely benefit individuals, individual operations, or individual companies or businesses.
CDA’s competitive solicitation process will be divided into two (2) phases:
- Phase 1: Concept Proposal
- Phase 2: Project Plan
Applicants may submit one or more concept proposals in Phase 1 using the online application form (available January 5, 2026) by 5:00 pm MST on February 13, 2026. All eligible concept proposals will be evaluated by a review committee comprised of experts and qualified individuals.
Applicants will be notified whether they have been selected to participate in Phase 2 and complete a project plan to be included in Colorado's FFY 2026 state plan in mid-March or early April 2026. CDA will provide further instructions at that time.
FFY 2026 Schedule
Phase 1: Concept Proposal (open to eligible applicants)
- Application Opens: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Informational Webinar (Register): Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 12 pm MST
- Application Closes: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 5 pm MST
- Review Period: mid-February to mid-March 2026
- Notices Sent to Applicants: late March or early April 2026
Phase 2: Project Plan (by invitation only)
- Invitation to Submit Project Plan: late March or early April 2026
- Project Plan Due: Friday, April 17, 2026 by 5:00 pm MST
- Project Plans Submitted to USDA: late April or early May 2026 (estimate)
- Project Plan Revisions with USDA: June to August 2026 (estimate)
Grant Award
- USDA Notice of Award: By September 30, 2026
- Grant Agreement Process: October to December 2026 (estimate)
- Earliest Project Start Date: January 1, 2027*
- Latest Project End Date: November 15, 2028
- Annual Reports Due: November 2027, November 2028, November 2029
*Subrecipients cannot be reimbursed for project costs incurred before the effective date of their agreement with the State.
CDA may deviate from this anticipated schedule as needed and without notice.
Applicant Resources
- Register for the 1/13/2026 informational webinar via Zoom
- Obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov
- View USDA's list of plants commonly considered specialty crops as well as ineligible commodities
- Read summaries of previously funded SCBGP projects
- Review last year's (FFY 2025) Request for Applications (RFA) from USDA-AMS
- Read through USDA-AMS Grant Division's General Terms and Conditions
For any technical issues, email us at cda_scbgp@state.co.us.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to its services, programs, activities, education, employment, and applications. If accommodation or assistance is requested, please contact us at cda_a11y@state.co.us or 303-869-9000.
Contact Us
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Markets Division
305 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, CO 80021
cda_scbgp@state.co.us
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found on the USDA website and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.