NYFVI is pleased to partner with New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) to manage the competitive grant program for New York State’s USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program application.
Guided by the State’s Specialty Crop Advisory Group, the 2025 RFP continues to focus on a subset of the outcomes specified in the broader USDA SCBG RFP. Specifically, this RFP seeks work that will achieve the following outcomes:
- Improve Pest & Disease Control Processes
- Develop New Seed Varieties & Specialty Crops
- Expand Specialty Crop Research and Development
- Improve Environmental Sustainability of Specialty Crops
Each outcome has measurable indicators established by the USDA SCBG program. A focus on these outcomes and indicators is critical to a competitive proposal. The USDA document that describes these outcomes and indicators is provided below.
NY Priorities
The New York Specialty Crop Block Grant Advisory Committee, comprised of farmer-members of specialty crop organizations and associations and other industry stakeholders, has developed specific research and education priorities that are aligned with the USDA outcomes.
These are the NY Priorities for 2025:
- Research and/or education that addresses a key production problem or need specific to NYS.
- Developing and increasing the utilization of IPM strategies and programs.
- Addressing native and exotic pests and disease threats through development of pest risk assessments.
- Plant breeding for the development of crops resistant to exotic and native pests.
- Applied R&D focused on extending the growing season through new technologies or improved practices.
- Developing new seed varieties and specialty crops with optimal performance under NYS conditions.
- Market based research that enhances the competitiveness of a NY specialty crop.
- Research, demonstration and training involving specialized equipment for mechanical weed control or new technologies that increase production efficiency.
Grant Sizes and Project Duration
Proposals between $50,000 and $200,000 will be accepted. Projects can be no longer than 8 quarters in duration, and all work must take place between January 1, 2026 and June 30, 2028.
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Not-for-profit organizations (NFP)
- Not-for-profit educational institutions
- Local and Indian tribal governments
KEY RFP DATES
The 2025 RFP opens on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm Friday, December 20, 2024.
Informational webinars
No individual conversations about the Specialty Crop RFP are allowed, thus it is important for potential applicants to attend the webinar about the RFP if they wish to ask their questions verbally. Webinars are scheduled for Thursday afternoon, November 14th, 2024 and Wednesday morning, November 20, 2024. Registration is available here. Meeting links will be sent the week of the webinars.
Online Application Platform
All applicants must register on this platform. There are two parts to the registration process. A potential applicant will first be asked to register their organization or business AND then create a user profile. Click “Create New Account” to complete the registration process, and create your logon credentials. Your email address will be your primary User ID. It’s likely that some organizations, will be registered more than once. NYFVI will work to eliminate duplicates after Users have registered.
RFP and Associated Files: For your convenience, a pdf of the online application is available below, as well as all associated files.