Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M, said the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is administering the Louisiana Specialty Crop Grant program, a new grant from the USDA designed to fund projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables and nuts.

The application deadline is July 24, 2009.

Strain said more than $337,000 is available for the Specialty Crop Grant Program.

“This is a great opportunity for stakeholders in the Louisiana specialty crop markets to improve their competitiveness.” Strain said. 

In addition to fruits, vegetables and nuts, the grant will enhance projects that also benefit the dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turf grass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops.

Grant guidelines state that non-profit organizations and corporations, commodity associations, state and local government entities, colleges and universities may be eligible.

Applicants must also reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in Louisiana, according to the grant’s specifications.

Strain said guidelines and applications for the program may be viewed at the LDAF website at www.LDAF.state.la.us.

A complete list of eligible specialty crops may be found at http://ams.usda.gov/fv/.

For more information, contact LDAF grant administrator Roy Johnson at 225-922-1277 or via e-mail at SCBGP@ldaf.state.la.us.

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