SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2015 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Each year, CDFA conducts a two phase competitive solicitation process to award funds to projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops.

Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $450,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and nine months.

Nonprofit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply.

Phase I of the competitive process begins with the submission of concept proposals.

Concept proposals undergo both an administrative review conducted by CDFA as well as a technical review conducted by a volunteer panel of subject matter experts.

Successful applicants will be invited to submit detailed grant proposals in Phase II of the process.

Applicants must access the 2015 Request for Concept Proposals at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants for detailed application instructions.

To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA has partnered with the California State Water Resources Control Board to utilize their online application site, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST).

Applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov .

Concept proposals must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, Dec. 5, at 5 pm PST.

Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Federal Funds Management Office at 916-657-3231 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information.