Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
The United States Department of Agriculture established the grant program with the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops.
Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops.”
Through enhanced competitiveness of specialty crops, the goal is to improve food access in underserved communities and improve development of local and rural food systems.
The program is part of the Farm Bill, and the USDA allocates funding to state departments of agriculture. Interested individuals and non-federal entities (producer groups, non-profits, trade associations and colleges/universities) are eligible to apply. The deadline for all proposal applications is Feb. 15.
To apply, interested parties must submit a project proposal to NMDA for review by a panel of staff and experts. Grant funds cannot be awarded to projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or an individual.
All project proposals must prioritize marketing, training, certification, food safety, pest control or plant health for the benefit of specialty crops.
“These are all areas that most effectively advance the competitiveness of specialty crops in New Mexico,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. “Keeping these priority areas in mind, we can provide the necessary support to projects that will fruitfully progress the specialty crop industry in our state.”
NMDA has emphasized several target outcomes for potential proposals.
“Projects that help rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic, expand markets, connect consumers to producers, promote local agriculture or promote the growing emphasis of female and young farmers are all favorable,” Witte said.
Before applying, applicants should consider their eligibility for federal funds, types of expenses needed, infrastructure, timeframe, potential beneficiaries, possible partners, reimbursement of expenditures and other factors. Considering all of these factors can help determine the potential need for federal aid.
Visit https://youtu.be/QS20-zFY420 to watch a video explaining the grant program.
For potential applicants to learn more and gain a better understanding of the program, a virtual outreach workshop will be held at 7 a.m. Mountain time Thursday. Register in advance for the meeting at:
https://nmsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYof-uqrTooE9YQNuu_wFK53MLeoNn-wSLT.
For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the application process, visit the ElevateNMAg website or http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu. Questions should be directed to [email protected].