Pennsylvania Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Pennsylvania's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was created to enhance the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a state-level program for crops not currently eligible federally or that are otherwise designated as high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary.

This grant funding is to assist with the growth, certification of seed, and marketing of eligible crops including hemp, hardwoods, honey, and hops; and barley, rye, and wheat for distilling, brewing, and malting purposes only.

Uses

Projects must enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops and benefit the eligible specialty crops' industry as a whole and may include, but are not limited to, projects such as:

Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
Participation of industry representatives at meetings of international standard setting bodies in which the Federal Government participates.
Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems.
Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chains in developing good agricultural practices, good handling practices, good manufacturing practices and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors.
Investing in specialty crop research, including organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes and enhancing food safety.
Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.
Pest and disease control.
Sustainability.

Eligibility

State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crop stakeholders are eligible to apply for grants under the program. Individual producers are not eligible for this program.

Funding

$460,000 is available for grants under the program and will be allocated as follows:

6.2% will be allocated to recipients and projects located in rural municipalities where at least 20% of the population has been below the Federal poverty line since 1990;
3.8% will be allocated to recipients and projects located in urban municipalities where at least 20% of the population has been below the Federal poverty line since 1990;
Remaining funding after the above allocations will be allocated to recipients and projects through even distribution among eligible specialty crops, and, where practical, in a manner that distributes the funds across Pennsylvania.