Colorado Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a federal grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture 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). For a list of eligible and ineligible commodities, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service website.

Phase 1: Concept Proposal (open to eligible applicants)

• Application Opens: Monday, January 5, 2026

• Informational Webinar (Watch the recording

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• ): 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.

• Producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and/or local organizations, academia, and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply with projects lasting from approximately January 1, 2024 to November 15, 2025, 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.

• All projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of Colorado specialty crops.

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 encourages applicants to submit concept proposals that focus on the following State priorities:

1. Creating and expanding pathways to increase profitability and access diverse markets;

2. Addressing labor challenges;

3. Investing in new agricultural technology; and

4. Responding to pest, disease, and climate pressures.

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 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.

• Watch a recording of the 1/13/2026 informational webinar on YouTube

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• Obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov

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• View USDA's list of plants commonly considered specialty crops as well as ineligible commodities

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• Read summaries of previously funded SCBGP projects

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• Review last year's (FFY 2025) Request for Applications (RFA) from USDA-AMS

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• Read through USDA-AMS Grant Division's General Terms and Conditions

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For any technical issues, email us at cda_scbgp@state.co.us

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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

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