A request for proposals has been issued through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops. Grant proposals must be received by MDARD no later than 3 p.m. April 6. Send them to [email protected]. Funding is contingent on the availability of funds from USDA. 

The grants, with a maximum award of $100,000, enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops, including but not limited to the following: promotion, marketing, research, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety and 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, and good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices.

Funding priority will be given to projects with a focus on market enhancement, research, and training and education.  

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 exclusively benefit a specific product, single organization, institution or individual.

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

Source: MDARD