AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced the Texas Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals for projects designed to raise awareness and consumption of such specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and nursery plants. A total of $1.7 million in federal funds is available through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The deadline for submitting proposals is Feb. 23, 2012.
“Specialty crops play a vital role in the diversity of our agricultural economy,” Commissioner Staples said. “These federal grants make it possible for consumers to have greater access to locally-grown Texas crops. These funds also help improve the quality and availability of these products so Texas’ specialty crop industry remains competitive in the marketplace while bolstering the Texas economy.”
- Food Safety – Eligible projects should enhance, handling and manufacturing practices, or propose new methods of research to improve food safety.
- Marketing – Projects may include marketing strategies geared toward increasing sales or consumption of specialty crops through media and advertising campaigns, in-store demonstrations, promotional events or development of educational opportunities and literature.
- Nutrition – Projects may be aimed at increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge, and consumption of specialty crops.
- Plant Health – Projects may focus on the prevention, control or eradication of pests and diseases harmful to specialty crops.
- Value-Added Projects and Industry Development – Projects that increase the value of specialty crops or develop new ideas and tools to benefit the industry may be considered.
TDA will accept proposals for grants from organizations that demonstrate a vested interest in promoting specialty crops and enhancing the competitiveness of Texas-grown products. Proposed projects should place emphasis on one of the following areas:
More information on the SCBGP, including application materials, can be found on the TDA website by clicking on Grants & Services. You also may contact Mindy Fryer at (512) 463-6908 or Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov.
More TDA press releases are also available at www.TexasAgriculture.gov/Newsroom or via RSS feed.
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture