Morrison Clients Awarded $883,456 in Specialty Crop Grants
The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants were announced this morning, and three of the proposals Morrison assisted our clients with were blessed with success, for a total of $883,456.
These projects included marketing support for a value-added California prune product, promotional support to increase sales of Sonoma Valley wines, and funding to create an online marketplace for California flowers.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program seeks to promote and increase opportunities for specialty crop producers. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state and federal government entities, including tribal governments; and public, private colleges and universities are eligible to apply. Grants cannot directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.
In 2013, applicants could apply for up to $400,000 for projects under the following categories:
• Market Enhancement
• Agriculture Education
• Nutrition
• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
• Plant Health and Invasive Species Impact Mitigation
• Food Safety
The application period for the 2014 California Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is likely to be announced this Fall. Last year the application period was announced November 1; concept proposals are typically due within 30 days of the announcement.
Morrison has limited capacity to assist clients with SCBG applications this year due to potential timing conflicts with the Value-Added Producer Grant program, for which we are fully committed.
If you are interested in applying for 2014 SCBG grant funding, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764 by October 15.