The Ohio Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which provides funding for projects to enhance the competitiveness of crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and nursery crops.

Grant funding is provided by the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service. The deadline for online grant proposal submissions is 4 p.m. May 3. Grants will range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $150,000. In addition, all applicants must provide a minimum match of 25% of the requested grant amount.

Project proposals are sought that will advance the long-term economic viability of the state’s specialty crop industry and increase the marketability of these crops. Higher rankings will be given to projects that demonstrate profit potential for growers and that could boost employment numbers in the specialty crop industry.

Food and agricultural nonprofit organizations, associations or commodity groups, universities and research institutions are eligible to submit specialty crop proposals. You may view SCBG projects previously funded by USDA.

For more information on the 2019 program, available forms, or a copy of the request for proposal, visit the ODA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program webpage.

Source: ODA, 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.