USDA okays Washington's specialty crop grant application

Washington Ag April 8, 2009 A dozen Washington agricultural organizations will receive federal assistance as they work to expand economic opportunities for farmers and develop more efficient farming practices. USDA has approved the Washington State Department of Agriculture's application under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. WSDA spokesman Jason Kelly says the 12 agricultural organizations will share just over 259-thousand dollars. Kelly: "This round of the Specialty Crop Block Grant we decided that some of our local farmers markets who had unfortunately been facing some budget cuts, especially to their marketing programs, needed a little extra help this time. So about half the grants awarded under this round of specialty crop funds are going to local farmers markets to conduct more outreach to the public." Also receiving funding, about 49-thousand dollars, is the Washington State Horticultural Association to provide tree fruit growers with a workbook of technical support and education for safe and sustainable practices. The Washington State Potato Commission also getting nearly 36-thousand dollars to continue its training to help growers become certified under USDA's Good Agricultural Practices program. WSDA's Kelly says Washington will get substantially more funding under the new farm bill for specialty crop grants so organization's should put their thinking caps on for future projects. I'm Bob Hoff and that's Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.