Commodity groups, agricultural organizations, colleges and universities, municipalities, state agencies and agricultural nonprofits are reminded that the deadline for the specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is April 12 at 5 p.m. CST.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting Specialty Crop Block Grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets.
Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture (including maple syrup and honey) and nursery crops (including floriculture).
The above-mentioned groups are all eligible for Specialty Crop Block Grants, provided their proposals meet all the specifications. ADAI and a review committee of industry representatives will make application evaluation reviews and award recommendations to USDA. USDA has final approval for all projects that are submitted.
The minimum amount awarded is $5,000. The maximum amount awarded to commodity groups, agriculture organizations, municipalities and agriculture nonprofits applicants is $25,000; the maximum amount for colleges and universities is $40,000.
Please contact Johnny Blackmon at 334-240-7257 or by email at johnny.blackmon@agi.alabama.gov for more information. Additional information may be found at…
https://agi.alabama.gov/divisions/executive/scbgp and https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp.