Specialty crop program accepting applications

Listen to this article

Applications for a program to bolster South Carolina’s specialty crop industry are being accepted through March 19.

The program, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, aims to enhance the market for specialty crops, define as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture (including honey), and nursery crops (including floriculture). The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service provides funds and guidelines for the program, administered in S.C. by the state department of agriculture.

Eligible projects should provide one or more of these benefits: enhanced food safety; improved capacity to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act; development of new and improved seed varieties; enhanced pest and disease control; increased nutrition knowledge; increased distribution efficiency; and enhanced sustainability.

Previous grants have supported the development of a weed identification website, educated consumers about the health benefits of peaches, and helped evaluate and promote cold-hardy S.C. citrus.

Applications are available at scspecialtycropblockgrant.com and are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 19. Applications must be submitted by email to bdorton@scda.sc.gov.

An informational session will be held via Zoom on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. The link is available  at scspecialtycropblockgrant.com.

For more information, contact Betsy Dorton at 803-734-2210 or bdorton@scda.sc.gov.