Grapes could be considered a specialty crop for the USDAF Specialty Block Grant.
TAYLORSVILLE – The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is seeking public comment from Utah-grown specialty crop producers for the upcoming Specialty Crop Block Grant. The grant is expected to be in the neighborhood of $355,050.
Comments need to be in by February 12, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. The grant is available for producers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops including floriculture.
This grant is also open not only to farmers but is also open to private businesses, schools, trade associations, non-profits, farming and ranching co-ops, etc. headquartered in Utah.
The money comes from federal funds allocated by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and authorized the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food to distribute it.
The grants will be awarded to projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of Utah-grown specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market and promote them. The grant may also be used assist producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops.
The grant money may also be used to expand availability and access to specialty crops; and address local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.
UDAF is requesting public input on the following issues impacting Utah’s specialty crop industry for this year’s application cycle:
- Enhancing food safety
- Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. Chapter 27)
- Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes
- Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
- Pest and disease control
- Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
- Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; and Sustainability
This input will help shape the ranking and rating criteria to benefit Utah’s specialty crop industry.
Please submit comments by to: agriculture@utah.gov. The application window will be open from February 22 – March 24, 2023.
For more information, contact Anne Dunaway at adunaway@utah.gov