Fighting the Flu & Specialty Crop Block Grants

Avian influenza is getting a lot of attention with several reports of birds being sickened or dying from the effects. The disease has been found in several backyard flocks and has caused a quarantine of flocks in southeastern Washington State. Leslie Linderoth own a backyard flock in Kennewick and the flock was recently tested for the virus.

LINDEROTH: I have two geese, ten ducks, three guineas and I think about twenty chickens. This kind of avian influenza has been apparently really deadly to guineas and turkeys. My guineas are all looking pretty healthy and everything is running around finest I do have everything very much restricted on movement and nobody's going to be protecting your flock except you.

Applications are currently being accepted by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  Funds are to be awarded through a competitive grant process. 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. 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. Applications are due to ISDA by Friday, March 27, 2015. 

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.