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WSDA announces availability of $2.5 million in specialty crop grants

Concept papers of proposed projects due May 21

OLYMPIA — With an eye to increasing the competitiveness and viability of Washington's fruit, vegetable and nursery producers, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is calling for proposals for $2.5 million in federal grant funds for projects that will enhance the state's specialty crop industry.

"Washington farmers grow a wide variety of high quality, nutritious and safe fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops," said WSDA Director Dan Newhouse. "This program will support the profitability of our growers as they supply the finest products to markets here at home and all over the world."

Washington is the third leading producer of specialty crops in the nation. The state's growers produce the country's largest crops of apples, sweet cherries, raspberries, hops, spearmint and many other commodities.

The funds will come to Washington through the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Private and non-profit organizations, commodity commissions and other public entities may request funds for projects of $75,000 to $250,000 that benefit fruit, vegetable, nursery and turfgrass producers. The projects must be completed within three years.

The first step in applying for the grants is to submit a brief concept paper to WSDA. The submittal should be e-mailed to Larry Oline, grants coordinator, WSDA, at specialtycrop@agr.wa.gov.

The concept papers will be evaluated by WSDA. Successful applicants will be asked to submit full proposals for further review. Application information and forms are available on WSDA's Web site at agr.wa.gov/grants. For more information on the program, lists of eligible products and the federal requirements, go to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.

Projects could focus on product promotion, nutrition education, crop research, food safety or other approaches that benefit Washington's specialty crop producers. Each project must demonstrate measurable benefits for the specialty crop industry and must not assist just a single producer or company. Projects that benefit Washington farmers in cooperation with other states' producers are encouraged, as are projects that benefit new farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers. Matching funds are not required but are strongly encouraged.

WSDA is under a tight schedule to meet USDA's timeline.

• Concept papers are due to WSDA by 5 p.m. May 21, 2009.
• WSDA will review the proposals and invite full proposals by June 12.
• Complete grant proposals are due to WSDA on July 13.
• WSDA will select and submit the winning proposals to USDA by Aug. 24.
• USDA will announce their awards in late September.
• WSDA grants award agreements will be issued by November.

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