The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced nearly $2 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants to support Texas specialty crop growers through research, programs to increase demand and more.
The monetary support is provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014 and administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). It is designed to enhance the markets for specialty crops, such as vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.
The block grants are allocated to the states based on a formula that considers specialty crop acreage and production value.
Interested applicants should apply directly to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). The list of FY 2014 State Requests for Proposals is available on the AMS website.
For more information, visit the AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program webpage, call (202) 690-4942 or email trista.etzig@ams.usda.gov.