Maryland Announces Grant Awardees for Specialty Crops

Selected Projects include Food Safety, Berries, Christmas Trees, and Wine

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Oct. 15, 2009) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced winners of $450,560 in grants that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Maryland. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was authorized under the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004, and amended under the 2008 Farm Bill.   Funding is expected to be made available to MDA for the specialty crop block grants from 2010 through 2012.

 “We are pleased to announce awardees of the Maryland Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The 2008 Farm Bill provided significant grant funding dedicated to specialty crops to become available,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “These funds are a great opportunity to advance and promote local specialty crops in the marketplace and help keep Maryland smart, green and growing.”

The following is a snapshot of the selected projects:

• Garrett County Economic Development Corp.  – $80,000 – to develop the capacity to serve Maryland grocery chain markets with Maryland-produced berries year round and  allow Maryland growers to enter the grocery chain market at premium prices as “locally grown” produce.  The project will happen in Garret County and the Eastern Shore.

• Maryland Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) – $30,000 – to launch a state wide marketing and communications campaign to inform consumers of the benefits of using a real Maryland Christmas tree and purchasing it at local farms.

• Maryland Wineries Association – $30,000 – to develop a “Maryland’s Best” Wine Promotion Program and grow the demand for Maryland-grown wine through marketing products, while overcoming certain market misperceptions of local wine.

• Maryland Department of Agriculture
o $85,000 – to reduce the barriers facing Maryland fresh fruit and vegetables producers in implementing an effective food safety program.
o $200,000 – to fund seasonal promotions of Maryland specialty crops to stimulate consumer demand for local products and assist farmers in accessing market channels to meet that demand.
o $25,561 – to promote healthy eating and to market Maryland products to Maryland school children as part of the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.
MDA created a competitive grant process with a review committee to award these federal funds in 2009. Funding priorities, identified by Maryland specialty crop producers, included: marketing with Maryland’s Best, food safety, nutrition and distribution, and product development and research. For more details about Maryland’s selected projects, visit:www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/specialtycropgrants09.pdf.