Feb 10, 2016

Specialty Crop Grant opportunities available for Michigan businesses

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced new opportunities for Michigan businesses through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from the USDA Ag Marketing Services. The grant funding is contingent on the availability of funds from USDA and Michigan’s allocation has been established at $1.88 million.

The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops. Grant proposals must be received by MDARD no later than 3 p.m. on March 31 by submitting them to [email protected].

The grants, with a maximum award of $100,000, enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops, including, but not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities and for-profit organizations. The organizations must be legal entities recognized by the IRS, and applicants must reside and/or conduct their business or organization in Michigan. Applications should demonstrate how the project will potentially produce measurable impacts for the specialty crop industry as a whole; and not-for-benefit to a specific product, single organization, institution, or individual.

For program information, application form, or submission criteria, visit the MDARD website or contact Amy Bearss at 517-284-5734.