Division of Agriculture offers Specialty Crop Block grants

The Alaska Division of Agriculture has $115,000 to support grants for the development of Alaska’s specialty crops such as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, and mariculture.

Applications are being accepted for block grants of $10,000 to $60,000 to support specialty crops under the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant program administered by the state Division of Agriculture.

The program seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Alaska Grown specialty crops, sustain farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen local communities, said Dave Schade, the state agriculture director.

“Specialty Crop Block grants provide Alaska a means to improve our specialty crop industry in a manner that addresses Alaska’s unique farming environment”, stated Schade. “This program has brought understanding of better farm practices, plant varieties and marketing of our Alaska Grown specialty crops.”

The application deadline is 5 p.m. AST on Thursday, March 31.

Only projects related to specialty crops are allowed under this funding. Potential recipients include universities, producers, extension services, soil and water conservation districts, or schools working in cooperation with a farm, ranch or non-profit. All projects must show a benefit within the specialty crop industry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, culinary herbs and spices, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, and mariculture. A list of USDA-eligible specialty crops is at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop.

“Previous Specialty Crop Grants have already produced a number of improvements and innovations, we look forward to seeing this year’s proposals,” said Gov. Mike Dunleavy. “Supporting Alaska food production is a high priority of my administration and we celebrate the successes that this grant program has yielded,” the governor said.

“This collaborative model has helped assure that food and fiber production and marketing of our specialty crops in Alaska is enhanced,” he said.

This year, the application process is simplified, requiring only one “final” application document to be submitted. There is no Letter of Intent required in the 2022 application process.

The electronic application, a tutorial video, and links to more information is available on the Division of Agriculture grants page at: http://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_grants.htm

Clear, concise applications that show how the proposed activity can accomplish project goals are encouraged, Shade said.

Funding is provided to the State of Alaska by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Services through the 2018 Farm Bill authorization. Results will be published and shared at the completion of the grant.

More information is available from Catherine Cheadle, Division of Agriculture grants administrator, at (907) 761- 3851, or by email at: dnr.scbg@alaska.gov.