MDA Announces New Speciality Crop Grant Program

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 16, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is seeking grant applications from eligible organizations and government entities for projects that promote or enhance the production of, and access to, Maryland specialty crops. Electronic grant applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on May 4. Paper applications must be postmarked by May 4. MDA will conduct a conference call on March 28 to go over details of the program for interested applicants.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, established by the 2008 Farm Bill, is a competitive grant program that fund projects that solely enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.  Visit www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp for a comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops.

MDA will administer about $354,000 in grant funds. Of this amount, Food Safety, Marketing with Maryland’s Best, and Producer Innovation grants will be awarded 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 and need to have the support from specialty crop producers.

For questions about the grant application, to register for the conference call, or to download the application, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/pdf/2012_SCBGP_RFP.pdf, or contact Karen Fedor at [email protected] or 410-841-5773.

To view past grant recipients, go to the following:
2011 
2010 
2009