The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for Fiscal Year 2025. The Market Development Branch has announced that this year’s funding amounts to $512,663, and it seeks project proposals aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops in Hawai‘i. Awards will range from $20,000 to $50,000.
Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocated based on the value of specialty crops produced in each state. According to USDA guidelines, specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops such as floriculture. Many of Hawai‘i’s diversified agricultural products fall into this category.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, government entities at all levels, for-profit organizations, universities, and individuals who are engaged in projects aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Hawai‘i’s specialty crops. Applicants must either reside in or have their business or educational affiliation registered in Hawai‘i.
The program’s primary goal is to support projects that provide measurable benefits or a high return-on-investment for Hawai‘i’s specialty crop segment. Projects should aim to enhance the market presence of these crops both domestically and internationally. Priority will be given to those projects that significantly increase production or consumption of specialty crops and promote the development of emerging crops and organic operations.
Interested parties can find application details under Request for Proposals (RFP25-03-MDB) on the State Procurement Office website: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities. The deadline for applications is noon on June 20, 2025.
To aid applicants, an instructional video will be available on the SCBGP website: https://dab.hawaii.gov/add/scbgp/. Inquiries can be directed to 808-973-9594 or emailed to [email protected]
