The following is a press release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture announcing it has begun accepting proposals for 2016 specialty crop grants:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2016 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).

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 a detailed grant proposal in Phase II of the process.

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $450,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and six months. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply.

Applicants must access the 2016 Request for Concept Proposals at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants for detailed application instructions. CDFA has partnered with the California State Water Resources Control Board to utilize its online application site, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). Applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov to apply.

Concept proposals must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, December 4, 2015, at 5 p.m. PST.

Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Office of Grants Administration at (916) 657-3231 or [email protected] for additional information.