DEM announces grant funding to promote specialty crops

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The Department of Environmental Management has announced that $150,000 in farm viability grant funding is available for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island.

The funds are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture, honey, hops and turf grass production.

Grant awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000, with no direct match required. Funding will be provided in two stages, with 50 percent of the monies given up front and the remainder provided at the satisfactory completion of the project. The grants may be used for projects of up to two years in duration.

Funds may be used for research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health, product development, education, “buy local” initiatives, and for programs that provide for increased consumption and innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, and development of cooperatives. Grant funds may not be spent on construction projects.

“These grants will enhance our state’s economy and environment by strengthening markets for specialty crops grown in Rhode Island,” Gov. Gina Raimondo said. “The economic impact from green-industry businesses in Rhode Island is tremendous, and we look forward to funding a host of innovative projects that support local agriculture and our food economy through this grant program.”

DEM’s Division of Agriculture oversees or supports numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk, meats and locally-harvested seafood, farmers’ markets, and buy local programs.

A downloadable application is available on the DEM/Agriculture website at www.rigrown.ri.gov by clicking on “Grant Opportunities” on the left side of the homepage. For grant-related questions, contact Peter Susi, deputy chief of DEM’s Division of Agriculture, at 401-222-2781, ext. 4517. Applications accompanied by a W9 form must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2015 and sent to DEM’s Division of Agriculture, Room 370, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 to be considered. Grant proposals will be reviewed by the DEM Agricultural Advisory Committee, which will make funding recommendations to the Department.

The 3,327 green industry businesses in Rhode Island sustain 15,826 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion annually to the state’s economy. On top of these economic benefits, agriculture also contributes to tourism, open space, quality of life, and access to local foods and horticultural products.

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