Specialty crop block grants

The Federal Register issued a notice today of funds availability Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).

From the notice:

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $6,895,000 in block grant funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are eligible to apply. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and community-based organizations in the development of applications and the administration of projects.DATES: Applications must be postmarked not later than April 11, 2008.

Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, ``buy local'' programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives.

TK: It would be great to see $200 million a year for specialty crop block grants but $6.8 million is a start. California is allocated $652,000 of the total, followed by Florida with $253,000, Washington with $182,000 and Texas with $156,000.