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MDA Announces New Specialty Crop Grant Program; Application Deadline is May 20

Photo by Edwin Remsberg

Photo by Edwin Remsberg

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 11, 2013) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced a competitive grant program to fund projects that solely enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was established by the 2008 Farm Bill. The grant application deadline is May 20; however, MDA will conduct a conference call on April 22 to go over details of the program for interested applicants. 

MDA will administer grant funds of about $390,000. Of this amount, food safety, marketing with Maryland’s Best, and efficiency of distribution systems will be awarded grants for projects with a minimum level of $15,000. MDA intends to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Maryland specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent. Projects need to have support from specialty crop producers. New this year, grants will be reimbursement grants.

Specialty crops are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. See a comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops here.

MDA is seeking applications from eligible non-profit organizations, government entities, for-profit and organizations for projects that aim to promote or enhance the production of and access to Maryland specialty crops. Applicants must reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in Maryland.

Electronic grant applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on May 20. Paper applications must be postmarked by May 20. MDA will conduct a conference call on April 22 to go over details of the program for interested applicants. 

For questions about the grant application or to register for the April 22 conference call, contact Karen Fedor at Karen.fedor@maryland.gov or 410-841-5773.

Download grant guidelines here; Download the application here.
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Contact Information

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jessica Hackett
Director of Communications
Telephone: 410-841-5888

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