The Pennsylvania Division of Agriculture is looking for tasks that strengthen the state’s aggressiveness of horticultural particularty crops and fight meals system shortfalls Associated to COVID-19. Proposals, due July 30, are for the particular allocation of the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program, which Is run by the state, Based mostly on a press launch.

“These funds are a win-win for growers and consumers,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said Inside The discharge. “Funded tasks will assist growers in overcoming challenges Associated to the coronavirus pandemic. And, They will join consumers with particularty crops by way of expanded availability and entry, further strengthening our meals system.”

The federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Agricultural Advertising Service, Based mostly on the press launch, which continued:

Beneath the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress awarded almost $1.4 million in stimulus funding to the SCBG Program to fight COVID-19 impacts to the meals system. These funds are meant for tasks that Reply to precedence wants Referring to COVID-19 and enhance the aggressiveness of particularty crops by:

• Leveraging efforts to market and promote particularty crops;
• Aiding producers with evaluation and enhancement related to particularty crops;
• Growing availability and entry to particularty crops; and
• Addressing native, regional, and nationwide challenges confronting particularty crop producers.

Commodities that meet the definition of particularty crops embrace horticultural merchandise Similar to fruits, greens, tree nuts, dried fruits, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal crops and nursery crops.

The Division’s aggressive solicitation course of Shall be divided into two phases: Half I, full proposal, and Half II, final grant proposal. Candidates should submit full proposals for tasks that enhance the aggressiveness of particularty crops by way of market enhancement, know-how innovation, meals safety, vitamin information, sustainable practices and or pest administration. Full proposals ought to outline the enterprise’s objective, goals, beneficiaries, exterior assist, measurable outcomes, indicators, knowledge assortment, price range narrative, oversight and dedication.

Full proposals Want to be acquired by 5 p.m. July 30 to be reviewed by the Pennsylvania Division of Agriculture, who administers This method.

Projects with The very biggest mixed scores Shall be invited To finish a final grant proposal to be submitted in September 2021. Softwares Might be submitted to the PA Division of Group and Financial Development’s Digital Single Software for Help at esa.dced.state.pa.us.

For extra Particulars about particularty crop grant packages, contact Lauren Stackhouse, [email protected], or go to agriculture.pa.gov.