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Brief: Specialty crops

Prepared from Grant Precedent, 2026-10-23; data as of precedent 2026-10-21, measures 2026-10-22.

Measures funders require

Agricultural Marketing Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture), Specialty Crop Block Grant and Multi-State Programs

Increasing Consumption and Consumer Purchasing of Specialty Crops

Total number of consumers who gained knowledge about specialty crops

Adults

Children

Total number of consumers who consumed more specialty crops

Adults

Children

Number of additional specialty crop customers counted

Number of additional business transactions executed

Increased sales measured in:

Dollars

Percent change

Combination of volume and average price as a result of enhanced marketing activities

Increasing Access to Specialty Crops and Expanding Specialty Crop Production and Distribution

Number of stakeholders who gained technical knowledge about producing, preparing, procuring, and/or accessing specialty crops

Number of stakeholders who reported producing, preparing, procuring, and/or accessing more specialty crops

Total number of market access points for specialty crops developed or expanded Of those:

Number of new online portals created to sell specialty crops

Number with expanded seasonal availability

Number of existing market access points that expanded specialty crop offerings

Number of new market access points that established specialty crop offerings

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about more efficient and effective distribution systems

Number of stakeholders who adopted best practices or new technologies to improve distribution systems

Total number of partnerships established between producers, distributors, and/or other relevant intermediaries related to distribution systems Of those established:

Number formalized with written agreements (i.e. MOU’s, signed contracts, etc.)

Total number of new/improved distribution systems developed Of those, the number that:

Stemmed from new partnerships

Increased efficiency

reduced costs

Increased specialty crop grower participation

Expanded customer reach

Increased online presence

Number of specialty crop-related jobs:

Created

Maintained

Total number of new individuals who entered specialty crop production as a result of marketing Of those, the number who are:

Beginning farmers or ranchers

First time specialty crop producers.

Number of market access points that reported increased:

Revenue

Sales

Cost-savings

Increase Food Safety Knowledge and Processes

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about prevention, detection, control, and/or intervention food safety practices, including relevant regulations (to improve their ability to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet the standards for aligned third party food safety audits such as Harmonized GAP/GHP)

Number of stakeholders who:

Established a food safety plan

Revised or updated their food safety plan

Number of specialty crop stakeholders who implemented new/improved prevention, detection, control, and intervention practices, tools, or technologies to mitigate food safety risks (to improve their ability to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet the standards for aligned third party food safety audits such as Harmonized GAP/GHP)

Number of prevention, detection, control, or intervention practices developed or enhanced to mitigate food safety risks

Number of stakeholders who used grant funds to:

Purchase

Upgrade food safety equipment

Improve Pest and Disease Control Processes

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about science-based tools to combat pests and diseases

Number of stakeholders who adopted pest and disease control best practices, technologies, or innovations

Number of stakeholders trained in early detection and rapid response practices to combat pests and diseases Of those:

The number of additional acres managed using integrated pest management

Number of stakeholders who implemented new diagnostic systems, methods, or technologies for analyzing specialty crop pests and diseases

Total number of producers/processors that enhanced or maintained pest and disease control practices Of those, the number that reported:

Reduction in product lost to pest and diseases

Improved crop quality

Reduction in labor costs

Reduction in pesticide use

Number of producers/processors that improved the efficiency of pest and disease control diagnostics and response testing, as reported by:

Improving speed

Improving reliability

Expanding capability

Increasing testing (i.e. survey work for pests)

Develop New Seed Varieties and Specialty Crops

Number of cultivar and/or variety trials conducted Of those:

The number that advanced to further stages of development

Number of cultivars and/or seed varieties developed

Number of cultivars and/or seed varieties released

Number of growers adopting new cultivars and/or varieties

Number of acres planted with new cultivars and/or varieties

Expand Specialty Crop Research and Development

Number of research goals accomplished

For research conclusions, the number that:

Yielded findings that supported continued research

Yielded findings that led to completion of study

Yielded findings that allow for implementation of new practice, process or technology

Number of industry representatives and other stakeholders who engaged with research results

Total number of research outputs published to industry publications and/or academic journals For each published research output, the:

Number of views/reads of published research/data

Number of citations counted

Improve Environmental Sustainability of Specialty Crops

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about environmental sustainability best practices, tools, or technologies

Number of stakeholders who reported an intent to adopt environmental sustainability best practices, tools, or technologies

Number of producers who adopted environmental best practices or tools

Number of new tools/technologies developed or enhanced to improve sustainability/conservation or other environmental outcomes

Number of additional acres managed with sustainable practices, tools, or technologies that focused on:

Water quality/conservation

Soil health

Biodiversity

Reduction in energy use

Other positive environmental outcomes (optional)

Number of additional acres established and maintained for the mutual benefit of pollinators and specialty crops

What you can collect, and how

Tier 1 is collected today from your own records. Tier 2 needs one free instrument. Tier 3 needs a partner under a data agreement. A measure that matches no rule has no tier.

Tier 1: Collect today from your own records

Total number of consumers who gained knowledge about specialty crops

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of consumers who consumed more specialty crops

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of additional specialty crop customers counted

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of additional business transactions executed

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who gained technical knowledge about producing, preparing, procuring, and/or accessing specialty crops

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who reported producing, preparing, procuring, and/or accessing more specialty crops

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of market access points for specialty crops developed or expanded Of those:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of new online portals created to sell specialty crops

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of existing market access points that expanded specialty crop offerings

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of new market access points that established specialty crop offerings

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about more efficient and effective distribution systems

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who adopted best practices or new technologies to improve distribution systems

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of partnerships established between producers, distributors, and/or other relevant intermediaries related to distribution systems Of those established:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of new/improved distribution systems developed Of those, the number that:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of specialty crop-related jobs:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of new individuals who entered specialty crop production as a result of marketing Of those, the number who are:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of market access points that reported increased:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about prevention, detection, control, and/or intervention food safety practices, including relevant regulations (to improve their ability to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet the standards for aligned third party food safety audits such as Harmonized GAP/GHP)

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.
  • No cleared, validated, free outcome instrument exists for victim safety. HARK is a screen for identifying partner violence, not a measure of change, and the other candidates need permission that was not confirmed. The funder's own item or a partner record is the substitute.

Number of stakeholders who:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of specialty crop stakeholders who implemented new/improved prevention, detection, control, and intervention practices, tools, or technologies to mitigate food safety risks (to improve their ability to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and/or meet the standards for aligned third party food safety audits such as Harmonized GAP/GHP)

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.
  • No cleared, validated, free outcome instrument exists for victim safety. HARK is a screen for identifying partner violence, not a measure of change, and the other candidates need permission that was not confirmed. The funder's own item or a partner record is the substitute.

Number of prevention, detection, control, or intervention practices developed or enhanced to mitigate food safety risks

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who used grant funds to:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about science-based tools to combat pests and diseases

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who adopted pest and disease control best practices, technologies, or innovations

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders trained in early detection and rapid response practices to combat pests and diseases Of those:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

The number of additional acres managed using integrated pest management

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who implemented new diagnostic systems, methods, or technologies for analyzing specialty crop pests and diseases

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of producers/processors that enhanced or maintained pest and disease control practices Of those, the number that reported:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of producers/processors that improved the efficiency of pest and disease control diagnostics and response testing, as reported by:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of cultivar and/or variety trials conducted Of those:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of cultivars and/or seed varieties developed

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of cultivars and/or seed varieties released

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of growers adopting new cultivars and/or varieties

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of acres planted with new cultivars and/or varieties

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of research goals accomplished

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of industry representatives and other stakeholders who engaged with research results

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Total number of research outputs published to industry publications and/or academic journals For each published research output, the:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of views/reads of published research/data

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of citations counted

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who gained knowledge about environmental sustainability best practices, tools, or technologies

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of stakeholders who reported an intent to adopt environmental sustainability best practices, tools, or technologies

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of producers who adopted environmental best practices or tools

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of new tools/technologies developed or enhanced to improve sustainability/conservation or other environmental outcomes

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of additional acres managed with sustainable practices, tools, or technologies that focused on:

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Number of additional acres established and maintained for the mutual benefit of pollinators and specialty crops

  • Collect today from your own records. A count of services or people, held in the organization’s own records.

Tier not determined

Increasing Consumption and Consumer Purchasing of Specialty Crops

Adults

Children

Adults

Children

Increased sales measured in:

Dollars

Percent change

Combination of volume and average price as a result of enhanced marketing activities

Increasing Access to Specialty Crops and Expanding Specialty Crop Production and Distribution

Number with expanded seasonal availability

Number formalized with written agreements (i.e. MOU’s, signed contracts, etc.)

Stemmed from new partnerships

Increased efficiency

reduced costs

Increased specialty crop grower participation

Expanded customer reach

Increased online presence

Created

Maintained

Beginning farmers or ranchers

First time specialty crop producers.

Revenue

Sales

Cost-savings

Increase Food Safety Knowledge and Processes

  • No cleared, validated, free outcome instrument exists for victim safety. HARK is a screen for identifying partner violence, not a measure of change, and the other candidates need permission that was not confirmed. The funder's own item or a partner record is the substitute.

Established a food safety plan

Revised or updated their food safety plan

Purchase

Upgrade food safety equipment

Improve Pest and Disease Control Processes

Reduction in product lost to pest and diseases

Improved crop quality

Reduction in labor costs

Reduction in pesticide use

Improving speed

Improving reliability

Expanding capability

Increasing testing (i.e. survey work for pests)

Develop New Seed Varieties and Specialty Crops

The number that advanced to further stages of development

Expand Specialty Crop Research and Development

For research conclusions, the number that:

Yielded findings that supported continued research

Yielded findings that led to completion of study

Yielded findings that allow for implementation of new practice, process or technology

Improve Environmental Sustainability of Specialty Crops

Water quality/conservation

Soil health

Biodiversity

Reduction in energy use

Other positive environmental outcomes (optional)

What grantees achieved

1 grantee of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: California Food for California Kids: Promoting California Grown Fruits and Vegetables in Summer Meals reported 2 results against targets over 1 period; the median result was 505% of target (middle half 488% to 523%), and 100% met or exceeded the target. Source: California CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant final performance reports, https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/pdfs/CA_SCBG_2016FinalReport.pdf.

1 grantee of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: Growing Healthier Lakota Youth by Increasing Natural Food Knowledge & Consumption reported 2 results against targets over 1 period; the median result was 143% of target (middle half 91% to 194%), and 50% met or exceeded the target. Source: South Dakota DANR Specialty Crop Block Grant final performance reports, https://danr.sd.gov/Conservation/SpecialtyCropBlockGrant/docs/2019/Cheyenne%20River%20Youth%20Project%202019%20SCBG%20Final%20Report%20for%20website.pdf.

1 grantee of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: San Joaquin County AgVenture reported 2 results against targets over 1 period; the median result was 125% of target (middle half 118% to 133%), and 100% met or exceeded the target. Source: California CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant final performance reports, https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/pdfs/CA_SCBG_2016FinalReport.pdf.

Program-level figures, not individual grantees: Agriculture Marketing Service - Research and Promotion Programs reported 12 results against targets over 2 periods; the median result was 133% of target (middle half 100% to 164%), and 92% met or exceeded the target. Source: OMB PART assessments (ExpectMore.gov archive), https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/expectmore/detail/10002335.2004.html.

Target-setting language with precedent

Each item comes from one funder, one program or one department; none is a government-wide rule.

Showing clauses from USDA.

What reviewers penalize

These ten weaknesses recur in 17 published reviewer critiques, mostly U.S. Department of Education and NIH. The count is the number of critiques that name it, not a rate, and a reviewer comment is a judgment.

Protocol skeleton

Draft text, edit before use

Measures: Increasing Consumption and Consumer Purchasing of Specialty Crops; Total number of consumers who gained knowledge about specialty crops; Adults; Children; Total number of consumers who consumed more specialty crops; Number of additional specialty crop customers counted; Number of additional business transactions executed; Increased sales measured in:; Dollars; Percent change; Combination of volume and average price as a result of enhanced marketing activities; Increasing Access to Specialty Crops and Expanding Specialty Crop Production and Distribution; and 83 more listed above. Baseline: ____ months from award, using SCBGP Outcomes and Indicators. Targets: set from the observed baseline at month ____, or committed now as a change of ____ percentage points from baseline (see the USDA FAS precedent above).

Missing-data plan (how dropout and missing observations will be handled): ____

Comparison group or baseline (what you compare against and how the groups started): ____

Fallback if recruitment, data access or the first analysis falls short: ____

Fidelity threshold (what counts as full implementation, and how it is measured): ____

Instrument named, with its validity evidence and its rights (license) status: ____

Numeric target for each measure (a number, not a direction): ____

Analysis for each outcome (method, comparison, adjustment): ____

Data protection and data management (who holds identifiable data, where, for how long): ____

Feedback schedule (who reviews the data, how often, and what changes as a result): ____

Evaluator role and independence (who evaluates and how they are separate from delivery): ____

The text is copied or summarized from public documents. It is not legal advice.