State seeks applications for specialty crop grants
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers of tomatoes, watermelons and other specialty crops to apply for a federal grant to boost such efforts.
The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program offers federal funding annually to state departments of agriculture to support specialty crop industries. This year, Indiana will allocate $416,350 to selected projects, the state agency said in a news release.
Eligible projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Indiana, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops.
“Hoosier farms feature more than just corn and soybeans,” Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s secretary of Agriculture. “Indiana offers more. We’re also a top producing state of watermelons, mint, cantaloupe, and tomatoes. Our specialty crop farmers, researchers, manufacturers, and others are encouraged to apply for this funding provided by USDA through our Indiana Department of Agriculture, and we look forward to the great impact these projects will make on our state.”
The state’s agriculture department is interested in projects that address one or more of the following factors:
- Enhance food safety.
- Improve the capacity of all participants in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
- Invest in specialty crop research.
- Develop new or improved seed varieties and specialty crops.
- Improve pest and disease control methods.
- Increase child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
- Improve efficiency and reduce costs of distribution systems.
- Create sustainable long-term environmental outcomes.
The grants will fund projects that show how they will improve the competitiveness of the specialty crop rather than benefit a particular commercial product or organization.
Applications are due June 4. Visit isda.in.gov for more information.