Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP)
Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) supports partners across states working on research, food safety, pests, crop issues, and marketing to strengthen U.S. specialty crops and benefit growers.
Funder: New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Due Dates: August 31, 2026 (partners to participating states) | October 16, 2026 (states and direct applicants to AMS; NJDA submission)
Funding Amounts: $250,000–$1,000,000 per project over 3 years; approximately $14.3 million available
Summary: Supports multi-state projects that strengthen the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops.
Key Information: Projects need partners in at least two states or territories and a 25% non-Federal cost share.
Description
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) competitively awards Specialty Crop Multi-State Program grants for collaborative projects addressing problems that cross state boundaries. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) solicits applications and provides technical assistance in New Jersey; USDA makes the awards. Projects must produce measurable benefits for specialty crop growers in at least two states or territories and improve the competitiveness of U.S.- or U.S. territory-grown crops in domestic or foreign markets.
Supported areas are food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific issues shared across states, and marketing and promotion. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Projects should address an industry or public need rather than benefit only one organization or individual.
