To enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development awarded more than $1.8 million through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. 

“What makes the Specialty Crop Block Grants so unique and so impactful is their flexibility,” says MDARD Director Gordon Wenk. “With these grants, Michigan’s incredible and diverse specialty crop producers will benefit through financial support in all kinds of different areas, including marketing, sustainability, production optimization, insect and disease prevention, processing technology, and even human health research.”

The grants, with a maximum award of $100,000 each, were awarded to the following producers’ projects:

• Bay View Wine Trail Inc. $100,000; Enhancing the Competitiveness of Michigan’s Newest American Viticulture Area by Increasing Awareness, Sales and Sustainability

• Cherry Marketing Institute. $35,954; Strengthening the Market for Michigan Tart Cherry Farmers

• Flint Fresh Mobile Market. $82,408; Developing Processed Frozen Vegetables for Wholesale to Independent Groceries

• Michigan Apple Committee. $100,000; Enhancing Competitiveness of Michigan Apples through Consumer Awareness

• Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board. $99,970; Integrated Crop Management and Biorational Strategies for Sustainable Asparagus Production

• Michigan Bean Commission. $99,982; Integration of Sustainable Mgmt. Practices Essential for the Advancement of Michigan Dry Bean Production

• Michigan Blueberry Commission. $99,303; Developing Tactics for Stem Gall Wasp Control in Michigan Blueberries

• Michigan Carrot Committee. $99,423; Strategies to Protect Carrot Root Quality and Maximize Marketable Yields

• Michigan Celery Research Inc. $92,440; Integrating Insect and Disease Strategies to Advance Celery Field Management

• Michigan Cherry Committee. $77,400; Investigation into the Effects of Montmorency Cherry Juice on Human Health

• Michigan Farm Bureau. $100,000; Fruit Acreage Inventory and Labor Survey

• Michigan Farmers Market Association. $81,310; Leveraging Farmer-to-Farmer Educational Events for Specialty Crop Producers to Create Consumer-Facing Profiles

• Michigan Flower Growers’ Cooperative. $64,359; The Michigan Flower Growers’ Cooperative:  Cultivating Beauty in Southeast Michigan

• Michigan Food and Farming Systems. $99,998; Closing the Loop: Models for Leveraging GroupGAP Certification

• Michigan Potato Industry Commission. $99,096; Increasing Consumer Awareness and Consumption of Michigan Potatoes

• Michigan Pumpkin Association. $15,500; Establishing the Michigan Pumpkin Association

• Michigan Restaurant Association. $69,251; Educational Support Foundation; Development of Chef-Inspired, Dietician Approved, Healthy Recipes to Increase Michigan Specialty Crops Market Share

• Michigan State Horticultural Society. $82,813; Identification of Superior Apple Cultivars for Novel Applications in Michigan

• Michigan Tree Fruit Commission. $99,950; Development of Precision Decision Support Systems to Protect and Optimize Michigan Tree Fruit

• Michigan Vegetable Council. $65,914; Developing Integrated Crop Management and Extension Programming for Michigan Table Beet and Turnip Production

• Michigan Vegetable Council. $93,837; Optimizing Production of Processing Squash with Increased Quality and Disease Resistance

• Pickle Packers International Inc. $100,000; A Marketing Program to Increase Pickle & Pickled Vegetable Consumption in a Mature Market.

Source: MDARD