FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 21, 2011
CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651.201.6131, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us
Grants available to help specialty crop growers stay competitive
MDA offers workshops to assist with grant applications
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota specialty crop growers can now apply for grants to help enhance and promote their industry. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grants is to give fruit, vegetable and other specialty crop producers a competitive edge in today’s marketplace. Grant projects may include outreach to increase consumers’ nutritional knowledge about specialty crops, assistance in the development of good agricultural practices, investment into specialty crop research, development of new and improved seed varieties, and pest and disease control.
Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants, tree nuts, flowers, and nursery plants (horticulture and floriculture). The Minnesota Specialty Crop Block Grants are administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). MDA Marketing Services Director Kurt Markham says the state received $730,000 in federal funding for the 2011 program.
“We encourage those in specialty crop production to apply for these grants that support and further promote their industry,” said Markham. “I’d also encourage industry representatives to attend one of our scheduled workshops to learn more about the application process.”
The workshops will be held in Moorhead on Monday, January 31, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 1080 28th Avenue South in room Salon C, and in St. Paul on Tuesday, February 1, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture offices, 625 North Robert Street in room B145.
MDA will accept grant applications through April 14, 2011.
A list of eligible and ineligible commodities can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp. A grant manual is available on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/specialty.aspx.
Questions regarding the grant program or the application process can be directed to David Weinand at 651-201-6646 or email David.Weinand@state.mn.us.
-30-
|
