Press Releases

Kentucky agriculture department seeks applications for specialty crop projects

 

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
For more information contact:
Ted Sloan
(502) 564-1138

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Farmers and other eligible applicants in Kentucky may seek funding from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for producing and marketing “specialty crops,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer has announced.

Specialty crops are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops.

“These crops are a growing part of Kentucky’s agriculture industry,” Commissioner Comer said. “Kentucky has the soils and the climate to be a major producer of specialty crops. We’re looking for projects that will make Kentucky specialty crops more competitive in the United States and around the world.”

Eligible producers, commodity groups, agriculture organizations, colleges and universities, municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations may apply. The maximum award to any applicant is $50,000, but the KDA encourages applications for lesser amounts.

 

Applications should show how the proposed project would benefit the specialty crop industry rather than just a single entity. Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that solely provide a profit for a single organization, institution, or individual. Matching funds are encouraged but not required.

Applications must be postmarked no later than June 1. Grant awards are expected to be announced this fall.

The program is funded by a $291,348.02 Specialty Crop Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The KDA administers the program in Kentucky.

To download the application form, rules, eligibility requirements, and guidelines, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/crop-block-grant.html. For more information, contact Joshua Lindau, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s plant marketing specialist, at (502) 782-4115 or joshua.lindau@ky.gov.