USDA Seeks Applications From State Departments of Agriculture For Specialty Crop Block Grant Funds

News Date April 19, 2007

USDA is inviting state departments of agriculture to submit applications for grant funds under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will award block grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 authorizes USDA to make grants to states for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to be used by state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops (including floriculture). 

Of the approximately $6,895,000 available for grants--less USDA administrative costs--each state submitting an application reviewed and approved by AMS will receive $100,000. In addition, each state will receive an amount that represents the proportion of the value of specialty crop production using the latest available complete data set in all states whose applications are accepted. NASDA has requested full funding of $44.5 million for the block grant program in fiscal year 2008. 

Instructions to apply for fiscal year 2007 grant funds are available in the April 11, 2007, Federal Register, or on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/. AMS must receive applications no later than April 11, 2008. Applications for fiscal year 2006 are due by October 11, 2007. For more information, call Trista Etzig at 202/690-4942, or e-mail: trista.etzig@usda.gov. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)