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The following news item is being sent to DACF subscribers as a courtesy.
Produce Safety, Soil Health Grant Deadlines Near
Two grant application periods open to Maine farmers are closing at the end of the month.
Maine Produce Safety Improvement Grants (MPSIG) help specialty crop growers (examples are growers of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops - including floriculture but excluding commodity crops) to:
- Implement on-farm food safety practices;
- Transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR);
- Meet market demands for on-farm food safety.
Eligibility:
Proposed projects are restricted to improving the food safety of specialty crops. Grants up to $10,000 to 15 farms will be awarded. Prior awardees are not eligible.
Allowed Project Investments:
- Plastic Harvest Totes
- Stainless Steel Handwashing Sinks
- Small Greens Bubblers
- Salad Spinners
- Stainless Steel Tables and Carts
Application deadline is December 31. For more information, contact Anna Mueller at [email protected], or (207) 568-6017.
Maine Soil Health Project Grant
Maine Soil Health Project Grant helps specialty crop growers to implement healthy soil practices.
Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to 17 farmers for the purpose of reimbursing approved expenses for improving soil health. Technical assistance will also be provided for participants to develop soil health improvement plans.
Eligible projects are restricted to:
- Work with an agricultural consultant on fertility, crop planning, pest and disease management plans.
- Implementing new practices that are not yet covered by NRCS such as flame treatment of weeds, soil moisture monitoring supplies, electric pumps for existing irrigation systems, and tarping.
- Implementing practices that complement and increase the complexity of existing NRCS practices such as more complex soil amendments, mulches, and seed for beneficial insect plantings.
- Rental use of a no-till drill or soil steamer from shared use equipment pools.
- Collaborative projects are allowed.
No construction projects or equipment will be funded.
Application deadline is December 31. For more information, contact Anna Mueller at [email protected], or (207) 568-6017.
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