Source:  NCDA&CS, 12/13/10

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is extending the deadline for aquaculture producers to apply for federal grant money to offset losses sustained in 2009.

The deadline has been extended one week to Dec. 22. Winter weather in trout-producing areas of western North Carolina has prevented some producers from submitting their applications, said Ron Fish, assistant director of the NCDA&CS Marketing Division.

Under the Aquaculture Grant Program, North Carolina aquaculture producers are eligible to receive grant money to offset losses sustained in 2009 due to high feed costs. The program is funded through a block grant from the U.S. Farm Service Agency.

Producers must have raised an aquaculture species in a controlled environment in 2009 and continue to be in operation. In addition, to be eligible for a grant, total feed costs in 2009 must have represented at least 25 percent of the total input costs of operation, and the 2009 costs must represent an increase of at least 25 percent above the average of the previous five years.

N.C. aquaculture producers raise catfish, hybrid striped bass, freshwater prawn, trout, gamefish and ornamental species.

Farmers can download an application and find out more about the program at www.ncagr.gov/markets/aquaculture/.