California Specialty Crop Grant Applications Open for 2027

California specialty crop projects could receive up to 600-thousand dollars in grant funding through a new round of applications.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting concept proposals for its 2027 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The program funds projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops.

Awards range from 100-thousand to 600-thousand dollars per project, and projects may last up to two years and eight months.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit organizations, government and Tribal entities, and public and private colleges and universities. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

This is phase one of CDFA’s two-phase competitive process. Concept proposals are due electronically by 9 a.m. Pacific on September 21.

CDFA is also seeking volunteers with specialty crop knowledge and expertise for its Technical Review Committee. Those applications are due September 25.…Read more by