Specialty crops

Specialty crops

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Specialty crop projects across Idaho will soon receive funding from USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program after being selected for funding through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s competitive review process.  The State of Idaho allocated $1,744,470.44 to projects that improve specialty crops in Idaho, making the industry and Idaho more competitive.  

 

Specialty crops are defined to include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.  Eligible projects are required to benefit more than one organization and solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Many projects focus on decreasing production costs or marketing and promotion.  

 

Twenty-two grant applications were submitted at a total request of nearly $2.1 million.  A panel of industry representatives with experience in agriculture, business management, and/or science reviewed and scored all applications, providing input to ISDA for the final selection.  Sixteen projects were selected for funding, including research, promotional and educational activities for commodities such as potato, bean, apple, onion, wine grape, and pea and lentil crops.

 

“This is the seventh year that Idaho has offered funding through a competitive grants process, and Idaho’s specialty crop industry has seen results including increased yield, decreased disease, and increases in sales” commented Director Celia Gould, ISDA. “We’ve funded a total of 154 projects and have been able to invest almost $8 million of Federal funding into Idaho’s specialty crop industry.”

 

The Department’s State Plan will include the 16 projects selected for funding, and will be submitted to USDA the first week of July. Final approval is expected from USDA by the end September, with funding expected to be available by November 1. If you have questions about the grant program, please contact Amanda Gibson at amanda.gibson@agri.idaho.gov or 208-332-8538 or (208) 332-8500. 

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