Source: NCDA&CS, 10/31/17

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that 12 projects have received more than $1 million in funding through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in 2017.

“The selected projects range from marketing programs and education initiatives in the classroom to research projects and reimbursements for Good Agricultural Practices certification,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“We are fortunate to receive these to further enhance and diversify the state’s $84 billion agriculture industry.”
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is administered by the department and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2014 farm bill.
North Carolina’s specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, turfgrass and sod, Christmas trees and nursery and greenhouse crops. Grant proposals were submitted by nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, government agencies and universities. 

Following are 2017 grant recipients and projects:
• Carolina Farm Stewardship Association – Evaluating the Efficacy of Organic Pesticides; 
• N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (multiple grants) – North Carolina GAP Cost Share; North Carolina Water Analysis Cost Share; Eradication of the Sweetpotato Weevil from North Carolina (Phase 2);
• N.C. Nursery & Landscape Association Inc. – Building New Market Capacity – Nursery/Floriculture; 
• N.C. State University (multiple grants) – Cutflower Extended Storage and Botrytis Control; Integrated Management of Cucurbit Anthracnose; Management of Foliar Diseases of Tomato; Watermelon Fusarium Wilt Chemical Control;
• N.C. SweetPotato Commission – Sweet Potatoes in the Classroom;
• School Nutrition Association of NC – Farm to School: Crops of NC
• University of Mount Olive – Enhancing Learning through Student Farm Development.

For more information on the program, go to www.NCSpecialtyCropGrant.org.