Specialty Crop Grant Projects
Examples of Projects Funded by State Departments of Agriculture
Growing the Domestic and International Marketplace
In Michigan –
• The Michigan Apple Committee developed an inspection program and promotion program to facilitate export of Michigan apples to Mexico.
In Virginia –
• The “Virginia Grown” Specialty Crop Promotion was developed to increase awareness and demand for Virginia grown specialty crops including fresh fruits and vegetables, nursery products, Christmas trees, and wine.
In Washington -
• The “From the Heart of Washington” campaign was launched to encourage consumers to purchase Washington agricultural products and to promote an understanding of the importance of agriculture to the state's non-agricultural community.
Ensuring a Safe Food Supply
In Ohio –
• The Ohio Specialty Crop Food Safety Initiative was launched to increase awareness and promote adoption of Good Agricultural Practices among the state's specialty crop growers.
In Florida –
• A food safety initiative was launched to provide hands-on assistance to producers to develop, apply and implement individual food safety programs and best practices for their operations.
In California –
• The Melon Research Board and Cantaloupe Advisory Board developed and distributed “Key Points of Control and Management of Microbial Food Safety for Melon Producers, Handlers and Processors” and “Good Agriculture Practices.” The project is noted as easily tailored to fit additional industries and commodities in the future.
Research – Finding the Solutions
In California –
• The Minor Crops Council, the IR-4 Program, and the University of California formed a partnership to develop low impact pest management practices and products.
In Texas -
• Texas A&M researchers are investigating salinity tolerance of Texas-grown roses and crape myrtles – economically important crops for Texas nursery growers. Increased salinity tolerance will allow for irrigation of nursery crops and landscapes with reclaimed, recycled or saline water.
In Florida –
• The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association is facilitating research into irrigation management, integrated pest management, enhancement of specialty crop post-harvest shelf life and environmental mitigation of farming operations.
Nutrition – Advancing the Fight against Obesity
In Texas –
• The Texas Department of Agriculture through the CATCH Program – the Coordinated Approach to Child Health – introduced nutritional education to third through fifth graders on four different levels - classroom curriculum, physical education, cafeteria/food service and parent outreach.
In Florida –
• The Florida State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in cooperation with Produce for Better Health Foundation launched a school “Eat Your Colors Every Day” program. A salad bar and salad option was piloted in 28 schools across 12 counties to increase student consumption of fresh produce, introduce new products to food service operations, and to provide nutrition educational information. The program includes a significant evaluation and data analysis component that will assist in future efforts.
In California –
• The California Department of Food and Agriculture partnered with the California Department of Health Services and the Public Health Institute to spread the “5 a Day Power Play” message in California schools. Children 9-11 were encouraged to consume five servings a day of fruits and vegetables and to engage in 60 minutes of physical exercise each day.
Pest and Disease Programs – On the Front Lines
In North Carolina –
• The North Carolina Department of Agriculture invested funding to protect the public and the state's agricultural industry by improving their ability to reduce the vulnerability and minimize the impact from pest and disease outbreaks or any natural or man-made disaster, or terrorist attack and to facilitate a rapid return to normalcy.
In California -
• The California Department of Food and Agriculture established a laboratory to examine the genetic make-up of exotic fruit flies trapped in the state. The information will be used to improve exclusion techniques to keep the foreign flies out of the United States.
In Florida –
• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services invested funding to stop the spread of citrus canker. The Department's Citrus Canker Eradication Program was funded to help rid the state of the disease and prevent its spread to uninfected areas of Florida and other citrus producing states.