www.vdacs.virginia.gov
FOR RELEASE: May 14, 2009
Contact: Marion Horsley, (804) 225-3820
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is accepting applications for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant funds. Agricultural associations, industry groups, community based organizations and producer groups that seek to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible to submit proposals for grants up to $25,000. Although individual producers are not eligible, they may join with groups and organizations to apply for these grants. VDACS will administer an estimated $160,000 in funds for the development of Specialty Crop projects. The deadline for returning applications to VDACS is Wednesday, July 1, 2009.
“VDACS is encouraging producer groups to take advantage of the opportunity these grants represent to enhance the competitiveness of Virginia’s many specialty crops,” said VDACS Commissioner Todd P. Haymore. “With significant funding available, it is well worth the effort to put good ideas to work to improve Virginia agriculture.”
Specialty crops are categorized as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops (including floriculture) and are not typically covered by traditional crop insurance. Specialty crops are not considered standard commodities such as corn, wheat or soybeans. A number of crops do not qualify for a specialty crop competitive grant, including cotton, feed crops (corn, hay, oats, barley), flax seed, food grains (rye or wheat), livestock and dairy products, eggs, oil crops (soybeans, sunflower seeds, canola), peanuts, range grasses, sod, tobacco, turf and aquaculture. Processed foods are eligible as long as they enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.
Specialty Crop Competitive Grant proposals need to be specific and explain how an association, industry group or organization will use the funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Some examples include research, promotion and marketing plans, as well as food safety projects.
In awarding the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds, VDACS will give priority to projects with the sole purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops as they pertain to the following issues:
· Increasing the consumption of specialty crops and knowledge about nutrition for children and adults
· Improving efficiency and reducing costs associated with specialty crop distribution systems
· Assisting all participants in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices
· Investing in specialty crop research, including organic research, to focus on positive conservation and environmental outcomes
· Enhancing food safety
· Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops, pest and disease control, and sustainability.
Guidelines, instructions and the application for the USDA Specialty Crop Competitive Grants are available online at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketing/index.shtml under Federal/State Programs, via email to Elizabeth.weakley@vdacs.virginia.gov, melissa.ball@vdacs.virginia.gov, or at VDACS, 102 Governor Street, Richmond VA 23219.
