Natural State News

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). These grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance the competitiveness of the Arkansas specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture uses a two-phase application process for administering the grant funds. Project concept proposals outlining the project’s goals, tasks, and budget requirements must be submitted by March 1. After all concept proposals are reviewed by an advisory committee, selected projects will be invited to submit detailed project proposals.

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

• Increasing sales and marketability and driving demand for specialty crops;

 • Increasing consumption of specialty crops in Arkansas’s schools by expanding child knowledge and/or improving access to the nutritional benefits of specialty crops;

• Increasing access to local healthy foods;

• Research projects focused on helping specialty crop growers reduce financial costs, improve pest and disease management, and/or value-added products; and

• Enhancing specialty crop food safety.

The 2023 SCBGP application can be found at cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgriculture1/SpecialtyCropBlockGrant2023ProjectConceptProposal. Information about the 2023 SCBGP is available in the Request for Applications (RFA) at agriculture.arkansas.gov/wpcontent/uploads/ADA-SCBG-RFA-2023.pdf. For additional information, contact Amy Lyman, amy.lyman@agriculture.arkansas.gov. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while conserving natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Original source can be found here.