MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. The application deadline for these specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is May 16 at 5 p.m..

Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture (including maple syrup and honey) and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Commodity groups, agricultural organizations, colleges and universities, producers, municipalities, state agencies and agricultural nonprofits are all eligible for this grant program, provided their proposals meet all the specifications. The USDA-AMS has final approval for projects submitted. The ADAI and a review committee of industry representatives will make the application evaluation review and award recommendations.

The specialty crops block grant is a competitive grant process. The maximum award to any applicant is $25,000 and the minimum is $5,000.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan stated, “The department looks forward to implementing the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program under supervision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are privileged to be a part of this continued program, which was authorized in the Agriculture Reform, Food & Jobs Act of 2013, also known as the Farm Bill”

Projects cannot begin until the USDA-AMS has made its official award announcement, expected by October 2014.

For more detailed information please visit http://agi.alabama.gov/blockgrant or contact Hassey Brooks (334-240-3877). All applicants must complete and submit documentation as related to the newly enacted Alabama Immigration Law.  Please visithttp://agi.alabama.gov/blockgrant for details.