Area farmers market receives a nearly $38,000 USDA grant

Check out this article about a USDA grant received by an Ann Arbor farmers market: http://bit.ly/SPtycW

$1 million worth of federal grants to help state agricultural projects

Specialty Crop Grants to Boost Michigan's Growing Food and Agriculture Industry

21 projects to receive more than $1 million in federally-funded grants

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams announced Michigan will receive $1.3 million in federal dollars to create, enhance, or expand agriculture development ventures across the state.

"Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture sector continues to play a critical role in our economic reinvention; and, these grants help fuel the continued development and expansion of specialty crop production in our state," said Clover Adams. "The response for these competitive grants was overwhelming and only illustrates the industry’s commitment to innovative processing practices and strengthening Michigan’s impact in the global marketplace."

The department received 39 proposals totaling $2.1 million with 21 proposals recommended to receive $1.1 million in grant funding with the remaining $200,000 allocated to MDARD’s domestic and international programs as well as grant administrative costs. Grant applications were evaluated, scored, and ranked by a Joint Evaluation Committee composed of MDARD and industry representatives not directly involved in any grant proposals.

Projects selected to receive funding are:

Lakeshore Environmental, Inc.                                             $56,555   

Michigan Apple Committee                                                   $75,000

Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program      $29,975

Michigan Bean Commission                                                  $75,000

Michigan Christmas Tree Association                                  $75,000

Michigan Farm Bureau                                                            $45,500

Michigan Food and Farming Systems                                  $51,390

Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association                   $62,260

Michigan Onion Committee                                                    $22,032
Michigan Potato Industry Commission                                 $40,000

Michigan State University (6 projects)                                   $300,600

Michigan Vegetable Council                                                  $52,993

The grants are used to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan specialty crops through processors, agri-businesses, producers, local units of government, and legislatively authorized commodity boards in Michigan; including, but not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

The goal of USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to promote and increase opportunities for specialty crop producers. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands received grants this year, totaling $55 million. Visitwww.ams.usda.gov/scbgp to review the 2012 project summaries and view a list of awards by location. 

Help for fruit farmers

Today, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a $15 million appropriation to help fruit farmers from throughout the state. The funds will be used to give farmers much needed financial assistance after weather conditions destroyed many of their crops.

Check www.heritage.com for more information, which should be posted later today.