USDA Announces Distribution Of Specialty Crop Block Grants

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Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced that USDA will be investing in 55 Specialty Crop Block Grants that will fund 740 initiatives across the United States and its territories.

"Agriculture plays a vital role in the health and strength of our economy,” said Merrigan, “and by investing in specialty crop growers and producers across the country, we can help spark new markets and job creation, while expanding production of healthy, safe, and affordable food.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant distribution for the 2011 fiscal year marks the sixth year for awards. Merrigan stated that not only were the grants state driven, but distribution was decided on from input provided by growers and consumers. There was an overwhelming response to the production of locally grown food, thus 54 out of 55 of the grants distributed provide for local and regional food systems to support the expanding market. Funds will be used by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Specific examples highlighted, include:

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• Copper Bear Farms in Oklahoma aims to provide free health food options for elementary students such as salad bars.
• Bear Lake Raspberry Company in Utah will utilize a grower shared commercial freezer to increase access to regional markets.
• New Hampshire and Massachusetts will partner with Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the New England Apple Association to develop long-term sliced apples for a growing fresh food market.
• South Dakota plans to partner with Value Added Agriculture Development Center to develop a statewide online marketplace that will be used to connect buyers to specialty growers.

Apart from the examples listed above, California, as the largest producer of specialty crops, received a generous portion of the block grants, with the total investment from USDA in excess of $18.6 million.

California’s grant money will go to research that will evaluate winter cover crops to reduce nitrate leaching; an international trade project to document the impact of European Union trade and support policies for olives on the competitiveness of the California olive industry; a project that aims to increase competitiveness and long-term sales of Lake County wine and wine grapes; and an effort to develop an effective lure for reliable detection and control of the female Navel Orangeworm Moth.

California’s students will also benefit from the grants by learning about agriculture on an academic level. Through the support of projects such as Ag Venture, more than 11,000 students will go on field trips to a variety of farms in San Joaquin County. The Centennial Farm, for example, will create gardens, exhibits and curriculum to teach urban youth about farming; and a mobile agriculture classroom called Ag In Motion (AIM) at the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County will also take part in the venture.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Visit www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp to read fiscal year 2011 project summaries. A listing of awards by location is also available.

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