JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for anticipated funding through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Interested individuals, community organizations and research institutions working to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri should submit their application by March 15, 2017.

USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, honey, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The department offers this grant program to expand local, regional and international markets and distribution channels for specialty crops, as well as for education, research, food safety, crop-specific issues, pest and disease, marketing and promotion.

Proposals for the upcoming fiscal year must be submitted to the department no later than March 15, 2017.  Proposals will be evaluated and selected projects will be included in the Missouri State Plan for USDA review and approval.  A list of previously funded projects is available on the Department’s website.

The application form and additional details are available online at agriculture.mo.gov.

For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the department online at agriculture.mo.gov.

— Missouri Department of Agriculture

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