SCBGP@scda.sc.gov
803-939-5754
About the Program
The Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) is a federal grant program offered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The purpose of the SCMP is to competitively award funds to projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by funding collaborative, multi-state projects that address regional or national level specialty crop issues, including food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, and marketing and promotion. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Funding and Duration
Grant awards will range from $250,000 to $1 million per project and projects may last for up to three years.
Eligibility
Specialty crop producer associations and groups, other state agencies, Tribal government entities, universities, nonprofits, and other stakeholder groups and organizations are eligible to apply. All SCMP proposals must include at least two organizations (referred to as “multi-state partners”) with substantive involvement in the project, and the multi-state partners must be located in two different states to qualify for the program. To apply for this program through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, at least one multi-state partner must be located in South Carolina.
Cost-Share Requirement
The program requires cost share contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total Federal portion of the grant. Please reference the USDA Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information on this component.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: 5:00 pm EST August 31, 2026
Estimated Period of Performance: 9/30/2026 – 9/29/2029
Applications must be submitted to scbgp@scda.sc.gov. The SCDA will submit completed applications to the USDA via Grants.gov by October 16, 2026.
You must use the templates provided below and follow the instructions provided in the USDA Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Project Narrative Form: SCMPNarrativeformandInstructions_compliant_0.docx
- Letter of Verification of Cost Share: LetterVerificationForMatchingFunds.docx
- Partner Organization Letter Template: PartneringOrganizationTemplateLetter.docx
Applications should address one or more regional or national issues related to food safety, plants pests and disease, research, and/or marketing and promotion as outlined in the NOFO. SCDA will not accept late applications, advise, coach or provide feedback prior to receipt of completed application, or be part of the award selection and has no authority over applications that are accepted or denied. If your project does not include a South Carolina organization as the lead participant or as a partner, you must apply directly to the USDA AMS.
Resources
- USDA Website: Specialty Crop Multi-State Program | Agricultural Marketing Service
- USDA Notice of Funding Opportunity: Specialty Crop Multi-State Program Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity
- Outcome Indicators: Specialty Crop Block Grant and Multi-State Programs Outcomes and Indicators
- 2026 USDA General Terms and Conditions: Agricultural Marketing Service General Terms and Conditions for Grants and Agreements March 2026
- Previously Awarded Grants: SCMP Awarded Grants | Agricultural Marketing Service
- Definition of Specialty Crops: What is a Specialty Crop? | Agricultural Marketing Service
