LANSING, Mich. —The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) introduced immediately the Michigan recipients of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
“Michigan is healthier when there’s elevated range inside our meals and agricultural sector, extra specialty crops, and extra worth per acre for our farmers,” mentioned MDARD Director Tim Boring. “USDA’s funding helps Michigan farmers to maintain their aggressive edge, advance analysis, and create new financial alternatives inside the specialty crop sector particularly because the agricultural neighborhood continues to be deeply impacted by the consequences of local weather change. We vastly recognize USDA’s and Senator Stabenow’s ongoing assist of Michigan’s farming households and companies.”
The grants, with a most award of $125,000 every, improve the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops. Below is the listing of grantees:
MBG Marketing: $97,878 – Demand for Blueberries: Understanding Consumers’ Preferences to Increase Michigan Growers’ Market Competitiveness
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board: $100,000 – Decision Support to Improve Asparagus Yield, Quality, and Industry Competitiveness Under Weather Extremes
Michigan Tree Fruit Commission: $98,237 – Improving Irrigation and Fertilizer Management in New and Established High-Density Apple Orchards
Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association: $100,000 – Time for Alternatives to Glyphosate: Post- and Pre- Herbicide Combos
Michigan Blueberry Commission: $99,000 – Advancing Etiology, Detection, and Management of Michigan Blueberry Viruses
Michigan Celery Research, Inc.: $97,451 – A New Leaf Disease and a Seedling Root Rot Require Solutions for Celery Growers
Michigan Bean Commission: $100,000 – Sustainable Dry Bean Production Systems: Improving Production for an Evolving Market Place
Michigan Vegetable Council: $98,084 – Can New Cultivars be the Answer to Rhizomania, the New Table Beet Disease.
Michigan Cherry Committee: $125,000 – Discovering and Targeting Key Buyers for Michigan Sweet and Tart Cherries
Michigan Onion Committee: $98,780 – Influence of Tip/Leaf Burn and New Fungicides on Onion Stemphylium Leaf Blight
Hop Growers of Michigan: $105,549 – Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Michigan Hop Industry
Michigan State Horticultural Society: $100,000 – Use of Bio Stimulants to Improve Fresh Market Blueberry Quality and Value
Michigan Apple Committee: $125,000 – #1 Social Media Marketing to Engage Target Audience and Enhance Competitiveness of Michigan Apples
Michigan Carrot Committee: $100,000 – Determining Action Thresholds and Management Strategies for Two Root Lesion Nematode Pests of Michigan Carrot Production
Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association: $125,000 – Expanding Michigan Wine Demand Across the U.S. Utilizing Consumer and Industry Wine Education
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo: $80,000 – Advancing Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Grower Knowledge and Efficiency Through the Great Lakes Expo
Kid’s Food Basket: $125,000 – Market and Promote the Expansion of Specialty Crops to Enhance Increased Consumption in West Michigan
Michigan Christmas Tree Association: $89,081 – Improving Establishment of Christmas Tree Plantations Through Research and Education
Michigan Potato Industry Commission: $93,795.50 – Educating Food Insecure and Non-English-Speaking Audiences on Michigan Potatoes as a Healthy and Affordable Option
MDARD’s International Marketing Program: $158,395 – International and Domestic Promotion of Michigan Specialty Crops
For extra data on the MDARD Grants Program and the way we can assist you, go to www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.com or e mail us at [email protected].
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https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/media/pressreleases/2023/09/19/mdard-announces-2023-specialty-crop-block-grant-recipients
