Attention arugula farmers
The funds are from the US 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 including Christmas Trees, cut flowers, honey, hops, and turf grass production.
Grant
awards 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.
In
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA Office of Management and Budget has
provided flexibilities to grant applicants and grant recipients and additional
funding to states to assist farms from the impacts of COVID-19. Funds must
still meet the requirements of the specialty crop grant program, but there is
an emphasis on projects that provide COVID-19 assistance/ relief.
DEM anticipates that approximately $150,000 - $300,000 will be awarded under this grant round with no direct match required. During the most recent funding cycles, the average amount of funding per project ranged from approximately $32,400 to $42,600. DEM awarded $130,008 in farm viability grants last fall to four Rhode Island-based groups to support local agriculture.
"This competitive grant program will help strengthen markets for Rhode Island specialty crops and support local farming and food businesses," said DEM Director Janet Coit.
"Consumer demand for locally-grown products is strong and is
spurring growth in our state's farming industry. We encourage farmers and
others working to promote the long-term viability of locally-grown fruits,
vegetables, nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops to apply for this exciting
funding opportunity."
Eligible entities include Rhode Island farmers, residents, or community groups engaged in research, marketing, food safety/security, plant health, buy-local initiatives, and/or development of cooperatives. Funded projects must support the broad competitiveness of locally-grown specialty crops in Rhode Island.
Initiatives that benefit a sole commercial product or provide a profit to a
single individual or group will not be considered. Since 2016, DEM has awarded
over $800,000 in grants through this program to support growth of specialty
crops in Rhode Island.
For
more information on the Farm Viability program, visit DEM's website.
Applications should be emailed to ananda.fraser@dem.ri.gov in DEM's Division of
Agriculture by March 31. Grant-related questions should be directed to Ananda
Fraser, produce safety program coordinator in DEM's Division of Agriculture at
222-2781, ext. 72411 or via email to ananda.fraser@dem.ri.gov.
DEM continues to work across many fronts to benefit and strengthen Rhode Island's green economy and to assist local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses. There are more than 1,000 farms sprinkled across the state and Rhode Island is home to a thriving young farmer network.
DEM continues to make
investments in critical infrastructure as well as provide farm incubation space
to new farmers through its Urban Edge Farm and Snake Den Farm properties.
The
state's food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for
innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs,
and the state's green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and
contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.
For
more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow
us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter
(@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
Related
links
2021
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Request for Proposals
2021
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Application
DEM Division
of Agriculture: Specialty Crop Block Grant Program