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Media Relations Jenny Tinklepaugh |
Press Release NCDA&CS announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program May 18, 2009 Deadline June 19, 2009 The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is pleased to announce a new grant program to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was established by the 2008 Farm Bill. The NCDA&CS has set up a competitive grant process to award these federal funds in 2009. NCDA&CS will be administering funds totaling approximately $1.2 million for the development of projects that will support and enhance the competitiveness of Specialty Crops in North Carolina. NCDA&CS intent is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to North Carolina specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent. Projects that benefit the following specialty crops are eligible; Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops are eligible specialty crops. Funding Priorities for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program include, but is not limited to: Research and Extension, Marketing, Food Safety, and Sustainability. NCDSA&CS is seeking applications from organizations that seek to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in North Carolina including; non-profit organizations and corporations, commodity associations, state and local government entities, colleges, and universities. Applicants must reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in North Carolina. Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Grant applications must be submitted by 5 pm on June 19, 2009. Please use this link to access the grant application, guidelines, and additional information. NCDA&CS will accept grant applications with a value of up to $100,000 and a minimum of $10,000. Grants will be awarded for up to three years. Once all applications are submitted to NCDA&CS, each one will be carefully reviewed and evaluated based on the criteria listed in these guidelines. All NCDA&CS approved projects will then be developed into one grant submission to the USDA. Upon approval from USDA, NCDA&CS will notify applicants (sub-grantees) of their status. No final awards to any sub-grantee will be made until a final grant award is made to NCDA&CS (grantor) by USDA. Final approval is expected by September 30, 2009, but is subject to change. For questions or additional information contact: |
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