6-19 IAN Specialty Crops

 Ten Projects Selected to Receive 2013 Specialty Crop Funding

Specialty crop projects across Idaho will soon receive funding from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  The State of Idaho allocated $892,675.83 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 were required to benefit more than one organization and solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

ISDA Marketing Specialist Amanda Gibson: “This is the fifth year that Idaho has offered funding through a competitive grants process, and we have seen positive results from many of the 2009 and 2010 projects that have been completed. Program requirements governing eligibility were published in the Federal Register.” 

Twenty-six grant applications were submitted at a total request of nearly $2.2 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.  Ten projects were selected for funding, including research, promotional, and educational activities for commodities such as potato, bean, apple, wine grape, and nursery crops.