October 22, 2024
More than $2 million has been awarded across 23 grants to support Michigan specialty crop growers who produce fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, hops, flowers and other nursery products.
The grants were through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., created in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Before 2008, the federal farm bill focused on traditional commodity crops and had no section dedicated to fruits and vegetables. In 2008, Stabenow authored the first-ever fruits and vegetables section of a farm bill to support specialty crops vital to Michigan’s economy.
Stabenow continues to leverage her position as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to strengthen support for these crops and make major investments in organic crops and local and regional food systems.
The funds will help growers promote their products at home and abroad, protect crops from pests and diseases, improve sustainability and climate resiliency, and boost market competitiveness for specialty crop farmers across Michigan.
The 23 grant projects include:
Allen Neighborhood Center, $102,611
Hop Growers of Michigan, $94,000
Michigan Ag Council, $100,000
Michigan Apple Committee, $125,000
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, $124,984
Michigan Bean Commission, $99,894
Michigan Bean Commission, $80,665
Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee, $6,431
Michigan Blueberry Commission, $100,000
Michigan Carrot Committee, $99,693
Michigan Celery Research Inc., $99,283
Michigan Cherry Committee, $98,995
Michigan Christmas Tree Association, $75,002
Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council, $100,000
Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association, $99,925
Michigan Potato Industry Commission, $99,644
Michigan State Horticultural Society, $125,000
Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, $97,208
Michigan Vegetable Council, $99,576
Michigan Vegetable Council, $100,000
Midwest Chestnut Producers Council, $99,000
West Central Michigan Horticultural Research Inc., $42,379.34
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Program, $155,267.69
Source: Sen. Debbie Stabenow
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