Specialty Crop Block Grants made available

Big Apple notes the Federal Register notice today making available specialty crop block grant funds to the state departments of agriculture. From the notice:

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $8,440,500 in block grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, 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 March 5, 2009.

TK: For who got what, check out the post by Big Apple.