PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
January 2, 2008 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - Organizations or groups of individuals interested in enhancing the competitiveness of Nebraska's specialty crop industry have until noon on Friday, January 11, 2008, to submit grant proposals to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

NDA is requesting the grant proposals as part of its effort to develop a state plan for the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The USDA program was created by Congress in 2004. For the 2007 funding cycle, NDA can receive up to $104,133 for specialty crops, but must submit a state plan detailing how the funds will be used.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). According to USDA guidelines, eligible projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and may focus on research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, and "buy local" programs, among other opportunities. The grant proposal must show the project will benefit the specialty crop industry or a segment of the industry, as a whole; proposals that will profitably benefit one organization or individual will not be accepted.

Grant proposals will be considered on a competitive basis. Those that NDA selects for inclusion in the specialty crop state plan must also be reviewed by USDA. Applications are due to NDA by noon on Friday, January 11, 2008.

For grant proposal guidelines and application information, please visit www.agr.ne.gov or call 800-422-6692. USDA guidance on this program, including specific examples of eligible specialty crops, can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/fv/scbgp.html.