News release from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

ISDA Header________________________________________________________________________

*NEWS RELEASE
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


*Grant opportunity provided for specialty cropgrowers*



*INDIANAPOLIS (March 2, 2020) *The Indiana State Department of Agriculture [ [link removed] ] is currently accepting proposals for the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program [ [link removed] ]. These funds are allocated to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops.

Indiana is home to such a diverse agriculture industry and this diversity adds so much to our economy and society, said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. I encourage specialty crop growers and organizations to take full advantage of this funding opportunity.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant program offers federal funding to the state departments of agriculture to support the specialty crop industry. The allocation amount for Indiana is unknown at this time.

Applicants can include producer groups, trade associations, nonprofits, colleges and universities. Grants should focus on improving marketing, trainings, food safety, pest control and plant health. Organizations interested in this funding opportunity must apply through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Funding will not be awarded to projects that benefit a particular commercial product, or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Each project must identify at least one expected measurable outcome that specifically demonstrates the projects impact on enhancing the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops. And, must be in one of the following funding priorities:


* Funding Area I: Market Enhancement
* Funding Area II: Access, Education, and Training
* Funding Area III: Research

This funding will go a long way in shoring up Indianas specialty crops in incomplete areas, like research and marketing, said Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. I encourage organizations to look at the key issues they are facing and see if this funding opportunity is something they would like to pursue to improve this diverse sector.

Applications are due by March 22, 2020, and proposals must be submitted online through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's Grants Management System.

For more information click here [ [link removed] ] or visit www.isda.in.gov [ [link removed] ]. For a full list of eligible specialty crops please click here [ [link removed] ].

###

*
**ABOUT ISDA
*"TheIndiana State Department of Agriculture [ [link removed] ](ISDA) was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. Administratively, ISDA reports toLt. Governor Suzanne Crouch [ [link removed] ],who also serves as Indianas Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state."

________________________________________________________________________




Facebook [ [link removed] ]Twitter [ [link removed] ]Instagram [ [link removed] ]


*Media Contact:
*Regan Holtsclaw
Phone: 317.552.9281
Email: [email protected]




ISDA Footer




SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]|Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]|Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: State of Indiana 402 Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 800.457.8283 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]