BISMARCK — The application deadline for the 2017 Specialty Crop Grants is two weeks away.
“North Dakota has approximately $2.2 million available to promote the production, processing and use of specialty crops,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Individuals, organizations and institutions are invited to submit proposals, either on their own or in partnerships.”
The funding from USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service can only be used for projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole. Projects must benefit more than one commercial product, organization, institution or individual.
USDA defines specialty crops as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops.” Specialty crops grown commercially in North Dakota include dry beans, dry peas, lentils, potatoes, confection sunflowers, grapes, honey and various vegetables.
Goehring said an information manual with application instructions, scoring criteria and an application template can be found on NDDA’s website: www.nd.gov/ndda/program/specialty-crop-block-grant-program.
Applications must be submitted in electronic form by 4 p.m. CDT Thursday, April 20, 2017. An external review committee will review and score the applications. The successful applications will be forwarded to the USDA for final approval. The grants will be awarded in late fall/early winter.
Projects funded by the grants start October 1, 2017 and must be completed by September 30, 2019.
Goehring said those needing more information should contact Emily Edlund at (701) 328-2191 or edlund@nd.gov.
— North Dakota Department of Agriculture
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