1-11 FB Specialty Crop

 The United States Department of Agriculture has allocated Specialty Crop Block Grants to Idaho, and ISDA will be passing the funds through as competitive grants. Projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant.  Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, (and Oh, by the way, two huge crops in Idaho, potatoes and onions), tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.  I asked ISDA spokesperson Lacey Menasco How competitive it was to get a specialty crop grant: “In 2009 they were highly competitive, we funded 1/3 of the applications, in 2010 we funded 17 out of 18. 

Funds will be available to interested local, state and federal government, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and universities.  Projects may include, but are not limited to, pest and disease control, enhancing food safety, developing new and improved seed varieties, increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, market development, or developing good agricultural, handling or manufacturing practices.  Projects will be evaluated on how well they enhance the competitiveness of Idaho’s specialty crops, soundness and quality of the project plan, measurable outcomes and return on investment.