Lehigh Times

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline for grant proposals to increase the visibility and competitiveness of the state's horticultural specialty crops, including fruit, vegetable, nursery, flower and nut products.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant program will be taking the proposals for a total of $1 million in funding. These proposals are due by March 18, 2022.

"Pennsylvania's specialty crops feed our economy and give consumers the locally grown products they want," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "These grants increase profits and sustainability for our growers and equip them to meet that demand by growing market opportunities; increasing yields by protecting crops from pest, disease and climate threats; and helping growers retain, recruit and train the workforce they need."

There are two parts to the process through which the proposals will have to be submitted. These steps have been authorized under the federal Farm Bill. There is a strict definition of what meets the definition of specialty crops, and this includes horticultural products like vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, culinary herbs, dried fruit, medicinal plants, spices and nursery crops. 

A total of 15 projects from Pennsylvania were funded by the USDA in 2021 alone which totaled $1,055,540 of the $72.9 million that was awarded to the entire nation. Apart from this, there was an additional $1.4 million that was kept aside to fund those projects that were waiting on their final approval. The 13 projects that were funded included those that will contribute to the state's agriculture industry by enhancing food safety, battling different types of threats (including climate, pest, and diseases of mushrooms, potatoes, and other crops), assessing economical aspects of growing hops (so as to understand the booming craft brew industry of the state) and many more. 

A full proposal must be submitted by all 2022 applicants that clearly states the competitiveness of the specialty crops through trade innovation, technology, nutrition education, conservation, food security enhancement, pest and disease management research and good handling practices.