Apr 18, 2014

Block grants set for specialty crops

USDA has announced the availability of approximately $66 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants to state departments of agriculture for projects that help support specialty crop growers, including locally grown fruits and vegetables, through research, programs to increase demand, and more.

According to a news release, the support provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014 will strengthen rural American communities by supporting local and regional markets and improving access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious high quality products for millions of Americans.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is designed to enhance the markets for specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

“Specialty crop block grants help sustain the livelihoods of American farmers while strengthening the rural economy” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These grants contribute to food safety improvements, increased access to healthy food, and new research to help growers increase profitability and sustainability.”

As directed by the farm bill, the block grants are now allocated to states and territories based on a formula that takes into consideration both specialty crop acreage and production value. Nearly all states are seeing an increase in funds

AMS encourages applicants to develop projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of American farmers, and strengthen rural economies by:

• Increasing nutritional knowledge and specialty crop consumption among children and adults,
• Improving efficiency within the distribution system,
• Promoting the development of good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices while encouraging audit cost-sharing for small farmers, packers and processors,
• Supporting research through standard and green initiatives,
• Enhancing food safety,
• Developing new/improved seed varieties and specialty crops,
• Controlling pests and diseases,
• Creating organic and sustainable production practices,
• Establishing local and regional fresh food systems,
• Expanding access to specialty crops in underserved communities,
• Developing school and community gardens and farm-to-school programs,
• Enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop farmers, including Native American and disadvantaged farmers.

Interested applicants should apply directly to their state department of agriculture. Several states have already published their requests for proposals, and the list of FY 2014 State Requests for Proposals is available on the AMS website

For more information visit the AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website.