If you are a producers or agriculture industry member involved in specialty crops grants are now available to enhance your industry. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, is now accepting applications for the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
The Specialty Crop Block Grants are awarded to projects intended to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop industries through research, education or market development. Qualified projects are those meant to benefit the industry as a whole as opposed to benefiting one individual, farm or company.
Applications are due to DATCP by March 16, 2018.
To select the grant recipients DATCP will use a competitive review process to select the most qualified projects. Then the projects selected will be included in the Wisconsin state plan that is sent to the USDA for approval and funding.
Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, herbs and more. Find a full list of eligible crops and more information about the program at www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp.
Non-profits, producer organizations, government agencies, universities and other agricultural organizations are encouraged to apply. Applications may involve collaborations or partnerships between entities.
Grant funds will be awarded for projects up to three years in duration. Typical projects are awarded between $10,000 and $100,000. In anticipation of receiving funding, project contracts and work would begin in the fall.
Eligible project expenses include compensation for personnel, consultant services, materials and supplies, and miscellaneous costs.
If you are interested in applying for the grant but are unsure how to start there will be optional grant-writing workshops. Times and Locations for the workshops can be obtained from, DATCP Grants Specialist Juli Speck at [email protected] or 608-224-5134
For more information on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection visit, https://datcp.wi.gov
