2007 PRESS RELEASES
November 9, 2007
VDACS SEEKING PROPOSALS FOR SPECIALTY CROP COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820
Beginning November 9, 2007, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will accept applications for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant funds. Agricultural associations, industry groups, community-based organizations, individual producers and educators that seek to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible to submit proposals. Submissions must be returned to VDACS no later than January 14, 2008.
VDACS' Division of Marketing will administer funds totaling up to $111,500 for the development of Specialty Crop projects that will support and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia. VDACS is requesting proposals for grants with a value of up to $10,000 each which fall under these guidelines.
Specialty crops are agricultural crops that are not standard commodities like corn, wheat, or soybeans and that are not covered by traditional crop insurance. Crops eligible for grant consideration include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Ineligible crops include cotton, feed crops (corn, hay, oats, barley, etc.), flax seed, food grains (rye or wheat), livestock and dairy products, eggs, oil crops (soybeans, sunflower seeds, canola, etc.), peanuts, range grasses, sod, tobacco and turf.
When considering grants for the Specialty Crop Program, VDACS will give priority to projects that include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
- Assisting farmers who are transitioning to specialty, high value agricultural initiatives that involve one or more of the eligible specialty crops listed above
- Increasing net farm income for an industry or particular region through high value or value-added enterprises
- Finding new ways to add value to or market specialty agricultural products
- Developing pilot and demonstration programs in specialty agriculture that have the potential to transfer to rural Virginia
For more information, please contact Melissa Ball at melissa.ball@vdacs.virginia.gov or at 102 Governor Street, #321, Richmond, VA 23219.