Michigan projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops could qualify for grants up to $100,000 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is requesting proposals for the program, offered through USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services. Grant proposals must be received by MDARD no later than 3 p.m. Feb. 27, by submitting them to [email protected].

The grants can be for, but are not but not limited to, promotion, marketing, research, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

Funding priority will be given to projects with a focus on Market Enhancement (Market Expansion & Access and Farm to Institution); Research (Health & Pest Management and Farm Sustainability); and Training & Education (Food Safety, Environmental Sustainability and Workforce/Labor).

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations; local, state, and federal government entities; and for-profit organizations. The organizations must be legal entities recognized by the IRS, and applicants must reside or conduct their business or organization in Michigan. Applications should demonstrate how the project will potentially produce measurable impacts for the specialty crop industry as a whole, and not for the benefit of a specific product, single organization, institution, or individual.

For program information, application form, or submission criteria, visit michigan.gov/mdardgrants.

Source: MDARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.