HELENA, Mont. -- The Montana Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals for Fiscal Year 2012 grant projects in cooperation with the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service's Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

 

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture. Legume crops such as dry peas, beans and lentils are among the vegetable crops that qualify under the program.

 

Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and qualify in one or more of the following areas: increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improving efficiency and reducing distribution costs; investing in specialty crop research; enhancing food safety; developing new and improved varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; and development of organic and sustainable production practices.

 

Projects also may assist entities in developing "Good Agricultural Practices,"  "Good Handling Practices" and "Good Manufacturing Practices," including cost-share arrangements for audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors.

 

Any non-profit organization, educational institution or municipality may submit a proposal for a suggested maximum of $50,000 with a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. Work must be completed by September 30, 2015.

 

Proposals must be submitted by March 21, 2012, to:

Montana Department of Agriculture

Attn:  Specialty Crop Grant 2012

P.O. Box 200201

Helena, MT  59620-0201