REYNOLDSBURG The Ohio Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which provides funding for projects to enhance the competitiveness of crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and nursery crops.
The USDA Agriculture Marketing Service is making about $642,019 of grant funding available to Ohio. The deadline for online grant proposal submissions is 4 p.m. April 30. Grants can range from $25,000 to $150,000. Applicants must provide a minimum match of 25 percent of the requested grant amount.
ODA is seeking project proposals that advance the long-term economic viability of the state's specialty crop industry while increasing the marketability of specialty crops. Higher rankings will be given to projects that demonstrate profit potential for growers and those that boost employment opportunities in the specialty crop industry.
Food and agricultural non-profit organizations, cooperatives, associations or commodity groups, universities and research institutions are eligible to submit specialty crop proposals.
For more information, forms or a copy of the request for proposals, visit www.agri.ohio.gov/grants.
