Under the 2008 Farm Bill, MDAR is awarded grant funding from USDA to enhance the competitiveness of Massachusetts’ specialty crops. MDAR conducts an annual competitive application process to award Specialty Crop Grant funds to organizations and individuals. For general USDA grant program background, view SCBGP Information link.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Eligible plants must be intensively cultivated and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops. For a list of eligible and ineligible commodities, view Definition of Specialty Crops.

The USDA is the funding entity and has the final approval of all projects. Prior to the USDA’s approval, MDAR and a review panel of industry representatives will make the initial review and award recommendations to the USDA. The funds available through the SCBGP-FB are authorized under the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act, amended by the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

WHO CAN APPLY

Socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers, commodity groups, individuals, agricultural organizations, colleges and universities, producers, municipalities, state agencies, and agricultural nonprofits are all eligible for this grant program, provided their proposals meet all the specifications in the Department’s RFR and the USDA’s Notice of Federal Assistance, CFDA 10.170.

All grantees must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System. To obtain one, visit http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform


2012 APPLICATION PROCESS

MDAR is conducting a competitive bid process through a Request for Response (RFR) process to award an estimated $400,000.

1. Grant Proposal: Applicants will be asked to submit a completed Grant Proposal. Specific requirements and instructions are included in the RFR notification. All prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly read the RFR for eligibility and application requirements.
2. Prospective applicants are encouraged to utilized USDA’s Developing Measurable Outcomes Guidelines View here.
3. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one educational session and/or email questions.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

1. The Request for Response (RFR) and all necessary documents and information can be found here and on the Commonwealth’s E-procurement website Comm-pass at www.comm-pass.com

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR APPLICANTS

The Department will hold three educational sessions after the posting of the RFR. The times and dates are listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the information sessions.

SCHEDULE

Request for Response (RFR) is posted to Comm-pass.	February 6, 2012
Question & Answer period begins. Questions must be submitted via email to Daniel.Rhodes@state.ma.us. All questions and answers  will be posted on Comm-pass system and here below.	February 10, 2012
Educational Sessions: These three sessions are designed for potential applicants to ask questions and learn the details of the program and how a proposal is developed. All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one session. RSVP by March 6 to Julia.Grimaldi@state.ma.us or 617-626-1763.	March 14, 2012: DCR Conference Room, 7th Floor, 251 Causeway St., Boston, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. March 21, 2012: MFBF Office, 249 Lakeside Ave., Marlborough. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. March 28, 2012: MDAR Conference Room, UMASS Amherst, 101 University Drive, Suite C4 Amherst.  1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Question & Answer period ends	April  2, 2012
All Questions & Answers posted	April  3, 2012
Deadline for the submission of responses	April 17, 2012

Prior Year Awards

• 2010 Awards - Massachusetts awards can be found on page 21
• Grants awarded from 2006 to 2011 can be viewed by clicking here