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DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is eligible to receive $242,767 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The grant funds are designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.
To ensure that funds are used in the most efficient manner possible, the Department is encouraging specialty crop stakeholders to consider submitting public comment to identify their priorities for the Program and is also establishing a new Review Committee to help review, evaluate, and make recommendations on grant proposals submitted to the Department.
“Understanding the priorities of the specialty crop producers will be helpful as we develop and support creative and appropriate outreach efforts,” Northey said. “Through the public comments and Review Committee, organizations and individuals representing various segments of Iowa’s specialty crop industries will be better able to participate in the decisions surrounding this program.”
Iowans interested in submitting comments on the priorities for the program can do so online by emailing HorticultureAndFarmersMarket@IowaAgriculture.gov or by mail to Horticulture and Farmers Market Bureau, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, 502 East 9th, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319.
Those interested in participating in the Review Committee should have knowledge of specialty crops, and/or grant writing or grant management experience, and the ability to devote the necessary time to complete the review process. Additional information about reviewer responsibilities, meeting dates and an application form can be found at www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.
Reviewer applications are due by June 26, 2009 by 4:00 p.m.
Information on how to apply for funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will be released in the next few days.
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