DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is eligible to receive approximately $275,000 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 Review Committee to help review, evaluate, and make recommendations on grant proposals submitted to the Department.
“Understanding the priorities of the specialty crop producers is vital as we develop and implement creative and effective outreach efforts,” Northey said. “The Review Committee and public comments we receive allow us to hear from the various segments of Iowa’s specialty crop industries and give them a means 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 HorticultureAndFarmersMarkets@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 February 12, 2010 by 4:00 p.m. Information on how to apply for funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will be released on Friday, February 23, 2010.
This is the third of five Specialty Crop Block Grants authorized through the Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008).
Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are the opportunities in renewable energy, conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture.
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