Specialty Crop Block Grant
On December 21, 2004, the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide state assistance for specialty crops. Under Section 101 of the statute, the secretary of agriculture is directed to "make grants to states for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to be used by state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops."
Kansas received $102,000 for fiscal year 2007 and 2008, and will receive $104,504.80, for fiscal year 2009. Because a provision in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 appropriated an additional $10 million for the grant program, Kansas will receive an additional $106,240, to help fund specialty crop programs in fiscal year 2009.
The grants are open to commissions, public entities, and associations and/or nonprofit organizations that represent Kansas specialty agriculture and food producers. Applicants must be a legal entity and have the legal capacity to contract. Applicants also are strongly encouraged to provide a cash match for their projects.
Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture. Some examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops are research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, food safety and security, plant health, education, "buy local" programs, addressing environmental concerns and developing cooperatives.
Specialty Crop Block Grant applications for fiscal year 2009 grants are due on December 5, 2008, and applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant-Farm Bill are due on August 15, 2008. They will be reviewed by staff from the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Commerce, as well as by an advisory committee established specifically to review the proposals. Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky will make the final awards based on his own review the applications and feedback he receives from reviewers. For additional information on this program, contact Jessica Bowser at (785) 296-3902.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2009 Funds
2008 Specialty Crop Block Grant -Farm Bill Program Recipients
Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2008 Funds
Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2007 Funds