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Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 10 January 2018 10 January 2018

green chili rsGreen chile (Photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Agriculture)Las Cruces, NM – If you have a specialty crop, you may be eligible for federal funding as part of the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has announced three workshops to assist growers and processors with the application process.

The workshops will be held as follows:

Meals will not be provided at any of the workshops. Registration is not necessary. NMDA staff will review the program, timeline and application process in detail. Attendees are encouraged to have a project in mind so options may be discussed.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides grants to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Increasing competitiveness may include developing local and rural food systems, improving food access in underserved communities, specialty crop research, feasibility studies, marketing projects and much more.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

The funding cycle begins September 29, and grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis only. Funds cannot be awarded to projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual.

Previously funded projects range from one-to-three years in length and vary in amounts from $15,000 to over $100,000.

Funds may not be used for the following:

Proposals must be submitted to NMDA via email by 5 p.m. March 1 using the template to be provided by NMDA at http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/marketing/ under competitive grant programs. Projects may begin September 29, as long as a sub-award is in place.

For more information, please contact NMDA Marketing Specialists Felicia Frost or Sarah Hacker at specialtycrops@nmda.nmsu.edu or (575) 646-4929.

 

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