USDA specialty crop block grants available for Virginia agricultural interests

Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will accept applications from groups until April 14, 2016 for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant funding up to $60,000 per project.

Individual producers are not eligible.

Agricultural associations, industry and producer groups, community-based organizations, educational institutions and non-profits that seek to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible.  VDACS anticipates administering nearly $390,000 in funds for the development of specialty crops. 

McAuliffe was quoted in a press release as saying, “Our administration is committed to job creation and economic development throughout the Commonwealth, especially in one of Virginia’s largest industries - agriculture.”

Specialty crops are categorized as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture, that are not typically covered by traditional crop insurance. Specialty crops do not include standard commodities such as corn, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, cotton or tobacco.

Processed foods are eligible, provided their development enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops.  Grant proposals must be specific and explain how the applicant will use the funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Some examples include research, promotion and marketing plans, as well as food safety projects and projects that improve food access.

VDACS intends to give priority to projects with the sole purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops as they pertain to the following issues:

• Enhancing food safety;
• Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors;
• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes;
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops;
• Enhancing pest and disease control; and development of organic and sustainable production practices;
• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;
• Developing local and regional food systems; and
• Improving food access in underserved communities.

Guidelines, instructions and the application for the USDA Specialty Crop Competitive Grants are available at vdacs.virginia.gov/sales-specialty-crop-competitive-grant-program.shtml (click on Application Form to apply), via e-mail to Melissa Ball at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by mailing VDACS, Specialty Crop Grants Application, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219. 

Applications received after the April 14, 2016, deadline will not be considered for funding.  All funding is contingent upon USDA’s notice of funds availability. The duration of each grant is two years, and the grant period will begin Oct. 1, 2016.