The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was awarded a $1,955,693.23 Specialty Crop Block Grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for the period of September 30, 2021 through September 29, 2024.
Through this award, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will enhance the competitiveness of Michigan's specialty crops industry. Key activities to be funded include marketing and promotion efforts to increase consumption of specialty crops within the state; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops through on-farm trials conducted by sub-awardees; and addressing challenges facing specialty crop producers through educational programs delivered by sub-awardees.
Notably, sub-awards were provided to the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association (doing business as MBG Marketing) to research growing blueberries in in-ground containers, to the Michigan Migrant Legal Assistance Project Inc. to improve health for migrant and immigrant food workers, and an unnamed organization to communicate the value of Michigan dry beans through conventional and digital educational programs.