Specialty Crop Dollars Available

Specialty Crop Dollars Available

Specialty Crop Dollars Available. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.

Fruit growers in the state should be aware that USDA has again made some substantial money available for specialty crop producers through the current Farm Bill. Washington State Department of Ag's Mike Louisell gives us the details.

LOUISELL: The United States Department of Agriculture has appropriated for us about $4-million dollars that we will now put out to competition for people; groups that have ideas of how to support Washington's specialty crops.

Private and non-profit organizations, commodity commissions and other public entities may request funds for projects of $25,000 to $250,000.

LOUISELL: Examples of that in the past years operations includes hops, apples, wine, pears, christmas trees and methods to do better improved in irrigation and water management. We issued 27 projects last year of specialty crop fund program of about $4-million dollars also.

The first step in applying for a grant is to submit a brief concept proposal using a form provided by WSDA.

LOUISELL: That are due at 4pm, Feb. 26 and our administrative program will help select the best ones that fit and will support and forward and enhance Washington's specialty crop industry.The Evergreen State ranks third in the United States for production of specialty crops.

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

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