1

Transportation and Marketing

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Fiscal Year 2018 Description of Funded Projects 

Number of Grants Awarded: 56

Number of Sub-award Project: 788

Amount of Funds Awarded: $72,157,417.86

For more information, please visit the program’s website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/scbpg

NOTE: The project descriptions below were provided by the grant recipients. (File updated September 24, 2018)

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Reducing Production Cost in 

Christmas Tree Production 

Through Improved Fertilizer 

Practices

Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension Service will 

conduct a series of research trials to update fertilizer and lime 

recommendations for Alabama Christmas tree growers. Current 

recommendations are severely outdated. Recommendations 

generated through this project will be included in Extension 

publications to highlight best management practices for Christmas tree 

fertilization. Through this project, production cost will be reduced by 

mitigating risks associated with over- or under- applying fertilizer. This 

data will also assist new growers entering the industry with 

management decisions.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 Alabama Specialty Crops in 

Grocery Retailers

The Food Bank of North Alabama / Farm Food Collaborative will 

expand consumer access to and consumption of locally grown 

specialty crops by maintaining grocery retailers’ vendor insurance 

requirements and facilitating cold-chain deliveries from multiple North 

Alabama farms to local grocery stores while raising the public’s 

awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of buying 

local.

$24,989.00
2

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Alabama Pecan Growers 

associations Farmer 

Educational Meetings & 

Summer Tour

The Alabama Pecan Growers Association will conduct farmer 

education efforts designed to offer new and beginner farmers the 

tools needed for successful farming. Farmers will hear from pecan 

specialists talking about what is new and improved in the pecan 

industry as well as good orchard management practices. Meetings and 

a tour will provide farmers with information on the pecan industry 

background and its regulatory requirements, recommended cultivars, 

promotion of Best Management Practices (BMP) in pesticide 

application, storage and others, as well as identifying opportunities for 

energy savings that will provide cost savings to the farmers. By 

cultivating and educating farmers and creating robust consumer 

demand for pecans through marketing and educational initiatives, this 

will positively impact the pecan industry in Alabama. In addition, these 

gatherings will enhance pecan growers to gather, talk, share ideas, and 

listen to the latest pecan production research. In the pecan industry 

information about growing, and improving production is always 

changing. These annual meetings are our way of providing pecan 

growers with the most up to date information and technology for 

growing pecans.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Enhancing the 

Competitiveness of Apple 

Production in Alabama 

Through Improved Disease 

Resistant Varieties and 

Innovative Production 

Systems

Auburn University will partner with the ADAI to enhance the 

competitiveness of apple production in Alabama through investigating 

the performance of improved disease resistant apple rootstock 

varieties. Experimental trees will be cultivated under highly efficient 

Tall Spindle production system. The outcomes will lead to sustainable 

apple production practices resulting in reduced inputs, increased yield, 

increased efficiency, improved fruit quality and increased economic 

return to the grower, and contribute to conservation of natural 

resources, improved food safety and increased consumption of 

specialty crops. Results will be disseminated to stakeholders through 

grower meetings, field days, printed materials and web outlets.

$25,000.00
3

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Establishment of a 

Demonstrative Teaching 

Garden and Shade House on 

Campus at Alabama State

University

Alabama State University (ASU) will establish a demonstrative teaching 

garden and shade house on campus that will serve to introduce our 

students (undergraduate and graduate) as well as members of the 

local community to the nutritional health benefits and advantages of 

growing and consuming locally grown specialty fruits and vegetables. 

We will also conduct an educational workshop and field tour at ASU 

that will introduce our target audience to the benefits of consuming a 

diet that is rich in specialty crops. We will work with a registered 

dietician to educate these groups on choice and portion servings based 

on nutritional content and other factors that they should be 

considering when making meal choices. The workshop and field tour 

will also be a means to educate our audience on entomological 

diversity and sustainable agriculture production practices.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Enhancement of Strawberry 

Production using Microbial 

Symbionts

The use of endophytic symbionts is an effective and appropriate 

alternative to sustain and improve crop yield without damaging the 

environment or human well-being. The specific objective of this 

project is to explore the role of beneficial fungal endophytes in 

improving strawberry production. Specifically, we will test 20 fungal 

endophytes isolated from naturally growing plants of different 

Alabama habitats for their ability to enhance strawberry production 

under greenhouse conditions. The outcomes of the project include 

identification of 4-6 beneficial symbionts that can improve strawberry 

production by 10-25% under greenhouse conditions compared to the 

non-symbiotic strawberry plants. The research finding is an essential 

step in developing bio-fertilizers or new improved seed varieties of 

strawberry and other specialty crops growing in Alabama.

$24,975.50
4

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Postharvest Interventions to 

Improve Quality and 

Microbial Safety of 

Microgreens

The University of Alabama and the University of West Alabama will 

establish a partnership to optimize postharvest storage and 

transportation techniques to improve the nutritional and sensorial 

quality, shelf life, and microbial food safety of microgreens grown in 

Alabama. We will evaluate a variety of microgreens, including red 

amaranth, fenugreek, cress, broccoli, and daikon radish, by ranking 

their best storage temperatures. We will also study the use of different 

sanitizers before storage and transportation. The evaluation will be 

based on their nutritional quality, sensorial quality, and microbial 

safety, especially possible pathogenic bacterial contamination, during 

storage and transportation, with and without interventions.

$20,690.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and

Industries

$494,794.76

Educating our Community 

one specialty crop at a time 

- phase 2

Victory Teaching Farm will work to enhance the competitiveness of 

specialty crops through an increase in access, and consumption via the 

addition of a new production component at the farm consisting of 

microgreen specialty crops and through the addition of this 

component to our community education programming. We will also 

increase the consumption of specialty crops through increased 

production and distribution and increase knowledge base of Alabama 

specialty crops through assistance to chefs, markets and grocers that 

distribute, utilize and sell Alabama Specialty crops provided by Victory 

Teaching Farm.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Rising Up and Raising 

Healthy Community 

Gardens and Gardeners 

Through Hands and Minds 

on Learning Focused on 

Specialty Crops

In service to the community, Talladega College and the Talladega 

County Cooperative Extension Service affiliated with the Alabama 

Cooperative Extension Service are partnering to create an outdoor 

learning center/garden that also includes an indoor campus classroom. 

The project title, Rising Up and Raising Healthy Community Gardens 

and Gardeners Through Hands and Minds on Learning Focused on 

Specialty Crops is based on community autonomy and the need to 

bring action to the challenge of having one in three children in the 

United States either overweight or obese and the fact that Alabama 

has the third highest adult obesity rate in the nation. Our concept of 

community autonomy is a group coming together to take decisive 

action around an agreed upon sustainable effort, which is growing and 

preparing specialty crops.

$24,864.87
5

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 Alabama Specialty Crops for 

School Gardens

Schoolyard Roots (SYR), formerly Druid City Garden Project, is a 

501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 in response to increasing rates of 

childhood obesity and a lack of healthy eating instruction in Alabama. 

We bring garden-based instruction to elementary schools. This is done 

by combining hands-on science and math lessons with Alabama Course 

of Study standards to meet the challenges in Alabama public schools. 

In our core program Gardens 2 Schools (G2S), our teaching gardens 

and innovative curriculum have been shown to increase consumption 

of fruits and vegetables, increase academic achievement, and get 

children excited about school. Our programs encourage 

entrepreneurial skills, involve parents at school, encourage 

environmental stewardship and sustainability, build positive character 

development and leadership skills, and energize teachers.

Grant funds support our core ‘Gardens 2 Schools’ program in three 

major ways: maintaining our partner elementary school teaching 

gardens where we grow specialty crop and heritage seeds; the 

addition of heritage seed-based lessons to our award-winning, 

standards-based curriculum; and by providing support for our 

educators and partner school teachers.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Trinity Gardens' Community 

Gardens Provides Specialty 

Crop to be Sold and Shared 

among Residents

Bay Area Women Coalition, Inc. (BAWC) Community Gardens Project 

provides an increase in production of fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables 

to be sold and shared among residents living in the Trinity Gardens’ 

community. This project includes food security, reduction in disease 

risk, cultural preservation, creates a webpage and sustains green 

spaces. BAWC project provides each of the following: (1.) Food 

security by increasing the production of “Specialty crop”; (2.) 

Reduction in disease risk with access to nutritious fruits, vegetables 

and nuts; (3.) Cultural preservation, opportunities for neighbors to 

work together, (4.) Motivation to create and sustain green space which 

eliminates blighted lots, and (5) Entrepreneurship opportunities 

including selling the specialty crop and making a profit. Generating 

income is essential to the survival of small and urban farmers.

$24,521.40
6

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Increasing Farm to School 

Connections in Baldwin 

County Alabama

Local Appetite Growers, a small-scale vegetable grower in Silverhill 

Alabama, will work with the Baldwin County Alabama Board of 

Education and the Auburn University Extension to increase the use of 

locally grown produce for the consumption in local schools. Also 

Referred to as a ‘Farm to School’ program, this project aims to increase 

the use of locally grown produce in the cafeterias of the local school 

system. This project would approach this effort in 3 ways, 1.) Exposure 

– by bringing school kids on tours to see the farm, to make them aware 

of how and where their food is grown, 2.) Working with school 

cafeteria staff to integrate locally grown produce into the menus of at 

least one local school, as a model for other local schools, and 3.) 

Acquiring GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification to help assure 

all parents / school staff that their food is produced and handled in the 

safest possible way. The goal is to make school aged children more 

aware of where their food comes from and offering these local 

products in their school cafeteria.

$21,645.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 Farmers Possessing 

GAP/GHP Certification

The demand for fresh produce in the marketplace along with the 

increase in local farmers markets has given Alabama farmers a 

foothold, but they lack the scale and capital to compete with regional 

and global wholesalers. Due to growing food safety concerns, many 

large buyers in the marketplace such as grocery stores, wholesalers, 

food service providers, schools, and other institutions require that all 

growers from whom they make purchases possess Good Agricultural 

Practices and/or Good Handling Practices (GAP/GHP) credentials. This 

credential ensures stakeholders in the supply chain that the product 

they are receiving is of a predetermined quality standard. The cost to 

obtain and maintain this certification over time can provide a financial 

burden on farmers and often hinders them from entering some 

marketplaces. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries 

(ADAI) would like to initiate a reimbursement cost-share program with 

the goal of increasing the number of Alabama farmers with GAP/GHP 

certification at 75% percent of certification costs or a maximum of 

$500 to allow them to compete in these markets.

$25,000.00
7

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 King's Garden community 

Education Garden

The growing demand for specialty crops in the central Alabama region 

provides a need for increased sustainable, healthy, nutritious food 

supply. The purpose of King’s Garden (KG) is to address this issue 

through increased production of specialty crops. A key objective of KG 

is operating a community vegetable stand and selling in local farmers’ 

markets to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. KG provides 

opportunity, knowledge, and resources to at-risk populations 

regarding increased production of specialty crops through hands-on 

and classroom learning to residents and the community. KG currently 

collaborates with Master Gardeners, Alabama Cooperative Extension 

Service agents, and university researchers to advance its community 

garden program. King’s Garden will use soil blocking to germinate 

specialty crop seeds efficiently, implement use of a germination 

chamber to prepare a greater number and variety of seedlings in all 

seasons, utilize more manual pest control, and practice cover crops.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 Cultivating the Next 

Generation of Aggies

Jackson Middle School (grades 6-8) will create an outdoor classroom 

where students will engage in experiential, food-based education by 

growing specialty crops in a variety of settings. The Alabama 

Cooperative Extension System (ACES) will provide educational and 

production support to the program. Our project will have several 

garden and instructional areas that will provide varied teaching 

opportunities for growing specialty crop fruits and vegetables. The 

students will participate in the process of building, maintaining, and 

marketing the multi-faceted sustainable food production system 

reaching parents and the community, increasing access to and 

awareness of many specialty crops. The crops will be produced in a 

student-run greenhouse, with raised garden beds, and hydroponic 

growing towers. The greenhouse will be the centerpiece of the system 

and the main component of the first phase of the program. It will 

provide specialty crop vegetable, herbaceous and flowering starts for 

the various plots on campus and will provide bedding plants and 

potted annuals that will be offered to the community in a spring plant 

sale. Students will sell produce they have grown in the edible 

schoolyard at a student run farm-stand and will donate a portion of 

produce to a local non-profit organization.

$22,499.60
8

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Provide Commercial Grade 

Hygienic Facility for small 

scale honey producers to 

enhance food safety

The Baldwin County Beekeepers Association (BCBA) will develop better 

processing practices, educate individual beekeepers in modern 

techniques, and provides modern honey processing equipment in an 

effort to help eliminate as much unwanted contaminates as possible 

from the specialty finished product of local honey. We intend to utilize 

requested funds to develop written process control practices for 

honey processing, provide beekeeper classroom and hands on 

education to support the process control practices developed, and 

establish a Mobile Honey Processing Unit (MHPU) that will allow 

individual beekeepers the ability to prepare, extract, and bottle their 

honey in a clean, controlled environment. All these items combined 

should meet our goal to enhance competitiveness of the honey crop 

while enhancing food safety practices of the final local honey specialty 

product.

$23,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Gardening for Justice: 

Building Sustainable 

Gardens in a Women's 

Prison to Provide Access to 

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Troy University will enhance consumption of and access to specialty 

crops amongst the female inmate population at Tutwiler Detention 

Facility through the development of a garden inside the prison. The 

garden programing and the garden site itself will increase health and 

nutrition knowledge of the participants. This project will also provide 

female inmates with the opportunity to gain horticultural skills that 

could be useful in gainful employment upon their release. We will 

teach approximately 40 female inmates housed in the Honors Annex 

how to set up and maintain a garden along with providing nutritional 

education classes. All the crops grown will be used to Tutwiler’s 

kitchen for inmate consumption. This program will also provide 

inmates with the unique opportunity to develop horticultural skills that 

otherwise would not be afforded to them through regular prison 

programming while also providing them and other inmates with better 

access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

$20,984.93

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$36,651.46
9

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76 Plant Something 

Alabama/ANLA

The Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association (ALNLA) will expose 

consumers to the national Plant Something marketing campaign by 

constructing an informative and inspirational consumer horticulture 

website, filled with relevant content, and promoting the site across 

various media platforms. By increasing consumer awareness of the 

benefits of gardening, best gardening practices, and discovery of local 

Independent Retail Garden Centers, we hope to increase sales of 

Alabama grown ornamental, floriculture, and vegetable specialty 

crops.

$25,000.00

Alabama 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Industries

$494,794.76

Wholesale and Direct 

Market Readiness to 

Increase Profit and 

Efficiency for Alabama

Specialty Crop Producers

Farmscape Solutions, in collaboration with Crotovina, Inc., will improve 

access to wholesale and direct markets for Alabama Specialty Crop 

Producers. Providing orientation, capacity building and resources for 

best practices in food safety, postharvest handling, packing, and 

business management to Alabama Specialty Crop Producers will 

increase efficiency and profit for participating farm businesses, while 

giving wholesale and direct buyers an incentive to increase their 

purchases of locally grown food. Farmer training meetings will be held 

at six locations around the state, including the 2019 Alabama Fruit and 

Vegetable Growers Association Conference, the 2019 Alabama 

Medicinal Plant Growers Association Annual Meeting, the 2020 

Jefferson County Truck Farmers Association Meeting, and three 

additional locations, to be determined.

$24,973.00
10

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09

Inspiring Alaskan Growers 

with a Means of Efficiently 

Pressing Fresh Kenai 

Peninsula Grown Rhubarb 

into Juice

Oceanside Farms, www.OceansideFarms.weebly.com, will inspire and 

promote increased knowledge, enthusiasm, and greater use of Alaska 

grown rhubarb. Don McNamara and Donna Rae Faulkner, owners and 

operators of Oceanside Farms will purchase, maintain, and operate a 

commercial grade hydraulic fruit grinder and press that will process 

volumes of fresh rhubarb stalks into juice without the need to chop, 

freeze or cook it first. Alaska Department of Environmental 

Conservation (ADEC) protocols and rules regarding food safety related 

issues for rhubarb, rhubarb juice and products will be shared with 

interested rhubarb growers and vendors. “RHUBARB-PALOOZAS” at 

Homer Farmer’s Market, Kenai Farmers Market and the Kenai 

Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik will be held in collaboration with UAF 

Cooperative Extension Agents to share information and recipes and 

invite pressing and tasting of rhubarb and rhubarb juice. A “RHUBARBPALOOZA” for Homer Garden Club members at Oceanside Farms will 

include a special focus on growing and harvesting rhubarb as seen in 

the fields. Rhubarb surveys will be taken, and the results will be 

shared online through the Oceanside Farms website and made 

available to distribution networks like the Soil and Water Conservation 

Districts, UAF-CES, ADNR newsletters, and by invitation at farmer and 

gardener conferences and meetings.

$28,062.00

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09 The High Tunnel Connection 

Homer, Alaska

To engender, promote, and sustain a culture of sharing information 

and building connections among those involved in our local food 

system, Homer Soil and Water Conservation District will: (1) facilitate 

three information sharing/networking events to benefit high tunnel 

producers, (2) organize and lead two high tunnel tours, and (3) identify 

mechanisms for maintaining networking and information sharing 

processes.

$10,332.00

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09

Optimizing Post-harvest 

Botrytis Control and 

Handling of Fresh Cut 

Peonies

The Alaska Peony Growers Association, in collaboration with scientists 

at Washington State University and APGA grower members, will 

optimize the postharvest control of Botrytis gray mold on cut peony 

flowers by developing scientifically-based information relating to 

infection of flowers, disease levels in coolers, the efficacy of pre- and 

postharvest applications of fungicides/bio-pesticides, the influence of 

packaging of flower stems on decay Results will be disseminated to 

stakeholders through grower meetings/field days and publications.

$59,996.00
11

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09

Increasing Crop Production 

Efficiency Yields with 

Innovative Technology

Twitter Creek Gardens (TCG) will provide a demonstration site to 

showcase the latest technology in the Market Gardening industry. 

With the acquisition of the newest technologies, a model of how to 

efficiently increase production while setting a standard for postharvest 

safety and proper food storage will be provided to market gardeners 

across the state. Stakeholders will have access to tool trialing as well as 

the documentation of production enhancing techniques via on site 

workshops and an online video series. TCG will work with a monitoring 

and evaluation committee of area producers and two Homer based 

organizations through the duration of the project

$30,400.00

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09

Growth, Production, and 

Preliminary Market 

Preferences for Unique and 

Flavorful Rhubarb Cultivars

This project will evaluate survivals, growth, production, flavor, and 

market preference in Southeast Alaska for three cultivars of rhubarb 

selected for color, flavor, productivity, and availability. Although 

several rhubarb cultivars were previously evaluated at the UAF 

Matanuska Experimental Farm, most are now difficult to source. The 

three cultivars chosen for this project are readily available from 

commercial sources and from Alaska and will be evaluated at farm 

sites in Petersburg, Juneau, Gustavus, and Haines. Ten rhubarb crowns

of three cultivars will be planted at each farm site to ensure sufficient 

transplant survivals for valid comparisons. Microclimate data will be 

collected at each farm site including rainfall, and soil and ambient air 

temperatures. All cultivation will use organic methods and soil tests 

and quality assessment measures will be assessed each growing 

season. For each cultivar and at each farm an evaluation will be done 

of 1) crown survivals, 2) growth and production (stem counts, stem 

height and girth measurements and photo digitization of leaf area), 3) 

flavor (acidity and sugar content) and color, and 4) market preference 

(survey of local consumers at area farmers markets on Salt and Soil 

online marketplace and for Alaskan retailers and markets).

$20,623.00
12

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09 Producers GLExpo Travel Stipends

This project will provide travel stipends to eligible Specialty Crop 

producers to attend The Great Lakes Expo as a group. Offering travel 

stipends for growers to attend the Great Lakes Expo hosted in Grand 

Rapids, Michigan, will offer Alaska growers the opportunity to learn 

from the various workshops, presentations, and demonstrations. 

Growers will gain knowledge about science-based tools through 

outreach and educational programs. The Great Lakes Expo is focused 

on demonstrating educational sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, 

and greenhouse production as well as covering a range of food safety 

topics and marketing strategies. Alaska Specialty Crop producers will 

come back to Alaska with increased knowledge to apply directly to 

their production businesses.

$50,924.64

Alaska Division of 

Agriculture $252,456.09 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$52,013.42

American Samoa 

Department of 

Agriculture

$283,800.19 Recovery, Sustainability, and 

Building Resiliency

The American Samoa Government Department of Agriculture aims to 

support the post-cyclone recovery of the territory’s specialty crops by 

utilizing tissue culture technology and other modern farming practices. 

Local production of bananas, taros, breadfruit, and other specialty 

crops suffered significant setbacks because of Cyclone Gita. It is 

estimated that damages in the agricultural industry reached 

approximately $14 million. Successful implementation of this project 

will supply the farming community with a much-needed supply of new 

plants. These plants will continue to be productive annually with 

regular maintenance and care, supplying produce year after year.

$283,699.85
13

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Farm Fresh Forks, A Tasting 

Experience

The Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association will increase consumption of 

specialty crops through the Farm Fresh Forks program, a specialty crop 

tasting experience at a minimum of 8 local Yuma restaurants. The 

Farm Fresh Forks program is designed and implemented to increase 

the competitiveness of specialty crops. The restaurants supply 

complimentary tastings of three specialty crops each week using 

additional ingredients and labor at no cost to customers. They also 

supply the recipes at no charge to create the Farm Fresh Forks 

cookbook. They distribute grower menu cards to each of their 

customers that highlight the different growers and the specialty crops 

each week.

$61,917.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Small/Medium Size Farm 

FSMA Preparedness

The University of Arizona trained staff will conduct On-Farm Readiness 

Review (OFRR) to assess small to medium sized farms level of 

preparedness to meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food 

Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. In addition, the 

U of A will also collect pre-harvest irrigation water samples on-farm to 

confirm water quality for growers looking to meet rule requirements. 

This project will involve working side-by-side with the Arizona 

Department of Agriculture, the Arizona Department of Environmental 

Quality, and small/medium sized growers across the state to address 

FSMA preparedness and support industry to achieve compliance.

$75,958.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$119,959.70

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Science-based Interventions 

for Water Contamination

The University of Arizona will evaluate science-based interventions, 

which will allow growers to better manage their use of irrigation water 

treatment and/or sanitization methods following a contamination 

event. This project specifically targets water treatment solutions for 

the fresh produce industry, namely leafy greens specialty crops such as 

romaine lettuce. It will target water treatment effectiveness and 

recommendations solely for specialty crop producers concerned with 

the presence of the pathogenic bacteria E.coli O157:H7 in their 

irrigation water source.

$88,395.00
14

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Cultivating Arizona's Green 

Industry

The Arizona Nursery Association (ANA) will use these grant funds to 

accomplish three items: to update the Economic Impact Survey of the 

Green Industry, to promote purchasing plants through the awardwinning and nationally recognized Plant Something program, and to 

support the Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education (SHADE). 

Increasing the competitiveness of the Arizona nursery industry is the 

primary focus of the successful Plant

Something campaign which is designed to attract consumers to 

purchasing plants to enhance their landscapes for monetary, 

environmental and health reasons.

$58,800.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Discover Arizona Wine

The Arizona Wine Growers Association in supporting its member’s and 

fellow wine industry businesses by advertising in the Urban 

Communities to visit and partake in Agritourism of the growing 

specialty crop of grapevines, vineyards, and wine in Arizona. This will 

be accomplished using billboards, certified folder displays and rack 

cards.

$77,648.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 The Dish on Eating Local AZ

Randy Murray Productions will continue our series of iconic videos on 

eating locally grown foods that consists of 10 short webisodes 

adaptable to many social media distribution platforms (Facebook, 

Instagram, etc.). Using fast-paced editing, easy-to-see close-ups, 

upbeat music and easy-to-read graphics with crisp narration, each 

episode tells the story of a single food ‘from seed to supper.’ The ‘eat 

local’ movement is driven by environmental concerns, demand for 

higher quality, economic benefits of supporting our local farming 

community, and the search for better taste. While this trend is evident 

at grocery stores and restaurants, there’s still tremendous market 

growth opportunity, particularly with younger consumers. By visually 

pairing production with preparation, the series makes the connection 

between Arizona specialty crops and the consumers’ own dinner table.

$86,383.00
15

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Arizona Pecans: Integrated 

Fertilizer Management

University of Arizona faculty and staff will carry out a series of on-farm 

studies (conducted in commercial orchards in cooperation with 

producers) to evaluate pecan response to fertilizer amendments, and 

will use this data to improve upon current recommendations. This 

project is part of our overall goal of developing and distributing 

comprehensive guidelines to provide pecan growers with strategies to 

maximize fertilizer use efficiency, enhance profitability, and optimize 

tree growth, nut yield, and nut quality. Individual studies will address 

management of nitrogen, phosphorus, nickel, and zinc.

$66,981.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Arizona's Tree Nut Industry: 

Economic Contributions

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Economic Impact 

Analysis team will conduct an economic contribution study of Arizona’s 

tree nut industry, which includes the production of pecans, pistachios, 

almonds, and walnuts. The economic contribution includes, but is not 

limited to, farm cash receipts for tree nut commodities sold, other 

farm-related income from such activities as agritourism, and other 

value-added post-harvest products and activities, as well as indirect 

and induced economic multiplier effects. Multiplier effects represent 

additional economic activity that is stimulated in other Arizona 

industries to meet the demands of tree nut producers and processors, 

as well as households employed in the industry. This study will report 

the total contribution of the tree nut industry to the state economy, 

including these multiplier effects.

$25,385.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Blister Beetle Risks to 

Specialty Crops

The University of Arizona Insect Diagnostics Clinic proposes to help 

growers cope with blister beetles through a comprehensive, 

multidisciplinary risk assessment on Tegrodera and the cantharidin it 

produces. Building on previously funded work, a multidisciplinary team 

comprised of three UA departments and Cooperative Extension seek 

outcomes to minimize health risks and potential economic losses, 

enhancing competitiveness of specialty crops in Arizona by (1.) 

Quantifying cantharidin levels in Tegrodera found in spinach fields 

(Soil, Water, and Environmental Science), (2.) Conducting toxicological 

screen of cantharidin in the mammalian mouse model (Animal and

Comparative Biomedical Sciences), and (3.) developing and deploying 

educational resources for growers and pest managers to support 

accurate identification, understanding risks, and management of 

blister beetles in specialty crops (Entomology).

$36,239.00
16

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Controlling Palo Verde 

Broom in Nurseries

The University of Arizona will determine how to control blue palo 

verde (BPV) witches broom disease in nurseries and how to prevent 

further spreading the disease in nurseries. The Arizona Nursery 

Association endorses and strongly supports this project. BPV landscape 

trees infested with broom suffer from dieback, breaking of branches 

with large brooms, and often removal of structurally damaged trees. 

Our objectives are 1. Determine if plants grown from seed of broom 

trees and showing symptoms as young trees are a source of virus for 

mite transmission, 2. Determine if application of miticides that are 

labeled to control eriophyid mites control the eriophyid mites on BPV 

nursery plants, and 3. Offer wholesale nurseries in Arizona the 

opportunity to have samples of BPV tested for the presence or 

absence of the virus causing witches broom disease. Virus testing will 

be done with PCR and qPCR, molecular technology that identifies the 

presence or absence of the virus. Our experimental approach will 

result in immediate recommendations how growers can control the 

disease and produce broom-free BPV trees in nurseries.

$93,730.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18

DNA-based Tissue 

Diagnostics for Lettuce 

Fusarium

The UA Yuma Center of Excellence is leading multiple projects 

conducting research for improved management of Fusarium wilt of 

lettuce. Experiments will be conducted on methods of inoculation used 

to artificially infect lettuce with Fusarium, and on the interaction of soil 

conditions with disease development. Additional experiments will be 

conducted to further develop two promising diagnostic techniques; 

each technique requiring the refinement of unique PCR primers that 

are specific to the Fusarium wilt pathogen and sensitive to low DNA 

concentrations in lettuce tissue. In addition, web content and 

informational videos will be developed and disseminated to the 

production industry that will present an introduction to and step-bystep instructions for these novel diagnostic methods.

$59,196.00
17

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Electrostatic Spray for 

Produce Sanitation

The University of Arizona will study the sanitization of specialty crop 

produce with the use of an electrostatic sprayer. Electrostatic sprayers 

place a positive charge on droplets, allowing them to uniformly attach 

to surfaces, including inanimate and produce surfaces. This allows for 

more complete coverage of produce surfaces with a sanitizer, 

especially those with rough surfaces. We propose to evaluate the 

antimicrobial efficacy of an electrostatic sprayer and compare it to 

conventional sprayer applications of chlorine, non-staining less 

corrosive chlorine, and a natural plant antimicrobial for the 

sanitization of several types of produce including lettuce, cantaloupe, 

and broccoli. Test organisms will include Escherichia coli, Salmonella 

enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes.

$64,811.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18

Native grasses and 

Groundcovers for Turfgrass 

Replacement

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Turfgrass Science 

program in Maricopa County will continue to evaluate native grasses

and alternative groundcovers and focus specifically on water and 

nutrition requirements and pest management. Our project’s ultimate 

goal is to introduce to the Arizona green industry and golf courses new 

groundcovers and native grasses, along with specific recommendations 

for their best management practices. Golf course superintendents, 

municipal water conservation personnel, school turf managers, and 

commercial landscapers will have increased awareness and knowledge 

about the characteristics and performance of the species to install and 

adopt. The expectations at the end of the experiments are to identify 

five to six species of drought, heat and salt tolerant, locally acceptable 

plants that can impact over 300 golf courses and landscapers.

$35,699.00
18

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Perception of Arizona 

Grown Medjool Dates

Arizona State University will facilitate increased demand of Medjool 

dates by developing target-oriented marketing activities based on 

identifying consumers’ perception of Medjool dates. Over the past few 

years, the gross production of Medjool dates has approximately 

doubled in Arizona, with the growing region increasing to over 7,500 

harvested acres. As the supply of Medjool dates increases, consumer 

demand needs to increase correspondingly. The goal of this project is 

to create marketing and communication strategies that specifically 

target existing and potential customers of Arizona-grown Medjool 

dates. This insight will lead to a better understanding of which 

information consumers attend to, as well as the role of labeling 

information at the point of purchase. This information will provide 

marketers the capability to better understand shoppers and create 

consumer-oriented packaging strategies to more effectively 

communicate the credence attributes of Medjool dates to specific 

consumer segments. Additionally, word association tests are analyzed 

to elicit consumers’ perceptions of dates, in general, and Arizonagrown Medjool dates in particular.

$79,165.00
19

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Sequential Preemergence 

Herbicides in Tree Nuts

Grower Cooperators in the project “Managing Herbicide Use in Tree 

Nuts” (SCBGP-FB16-18) asked University of Arizona extension faculty 

to compare a single annual preemergence herbicide application in 

April with two sequential preemergence herbicide applications, the 

first in January and the second in late May. Growers desire yearlong 

weed control and are willing to make two preemergence herbicide 

applications annually to reduce the number of postemergence 

herbicide applications, especially of glyphosate (e.g., Roundup), and 

reduce their risk of developing herbicide resistant weed populations. 

The goal is to provide information to Arizona pecan and pistachio 

orchard managers to help them reduce their reliance on 

postemergence herbicides for weed control. Other outcomes include 

developing and presenting information on the duration of control and 

efficacy of additional herbicides under Arizona conditions to augment 

what is known about preemergence herbicides such as Pindar GT and 

Prowl H2O. The general tasks that will be completed during this 

project include establishing three research and demonstration plots in 

2019, collecting weed control efficacy data, summarizing results, and 

presenting educational materials to growers.

$9,424.00
20

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18

Specific, Rapid 

Quantification of Fecal 

Contamination

The University of Arizona will study the application of rapid, sensitive 

and more specific real time molecular methods than the use of generic 

Escherichia coli to evaluate the level and source of fecal contamination 

during primary production of fresh produce in Southern Arizona. The 

study will evaluate multiple fecal genetic markers including new 

markers that have been deliberately selected based on previous 

studies and the sources of fecal contamination more likely associated 

with agricultural areas. The relative proportion of the new and 

previous fecal genetic markers will be used to more specifically 

estimate the level and source of fecal contamination that may occur 

during primary production (i.e., irrigation) and harvesting of fresh 

produce. The assessment of fecal genetic markers will aid in the 

accurate identification of the type of host inputs (e.g., sewage, wildlife, 

agricultural) and consequently the reservoirs or sources of foodborne 

pathogens that will result in a more accurate assessment of the risks to 

human health. This information will lead to better direct management 

actions to reduce likely sources of fecal pollution in agricultural waters 

used for irrigation and processing of fresh produce in Southern 

Arizona.

$96,757.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Understanding Brown Wood 

Rot in Lemons

The School of Plant Sciences & Cooperative Extension, University of 

Arizona, proposes a research and extension strategy that will mitigate 

brown wood rot (BWR) by (1) developing real-time PCR assay coupling 

spore traps to quantify seasonal abundance of AS spore load in lemon 

orchards, (2) determining when and how environmental and 

management conditions AS spores are released in Yuma lemon 

orchards, and (3) educate growers, PCAs, and other stakeholders 

through industry meetings and extension bulletins. Working closely 

with growers and industry stakeholder groups with whom we have 

already established strong collaborations, we will translate gained 

knowledge to inform disease prevention, mitigation, and decisionmaking, and, ultimately, minimize within-orchard and betweenorchard spread and reduce the disease burden of BWR in Arizona 

citrus industry.

$85,610.00
21

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Water and Salt 

Management for Melons

The University of Arizona’s Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert 

Agriculture (YCEDA) has teamed up with UA and USDA Researchers, 

Irrigation Districts, USDA, USBR, NASA, Arizona Commodity Councils, 

and others to measure water applied, evapotranspiration, and soil 

salinity levels to generate data that can be used to create management 

tools for most desert cropping systems. The objectives of this project 

are to measure evapotranspiration from cantaloupe and watermelon 

across different production scenarios, measure water application 

efficiency and distribution uniformity under both furrow and drip 

irrigation, and determine soil moisture and salt distribution during the 

season. This data will allow for more efficient irrigation management 

and assist in making rotational management decisions that preclude 

detrimental salt accumulations in the soil.

$69,938.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Zinc Nutrition of Desert 

Vegetables

The University of Arizona will address an urgent need to understand 

the full scope of Zn deficiencies in our soils, evaluate the response of 

several economically important vegetable crops to Zn fertilizers, collect 

background data as a basis of making soil-test based Zn fertilizer 

recommendations, and evaluate tissue tests to diagnose Zn 

deficiencies. At multiple sites across the production region in the 

desert we will collect paired soil and tissue samples to measure Zn 

status and compare to known levels of adequacy and deficiency. Soil 

samples will be air-dried and extracted for Zn using the DTPA 

extraction method. Tissue samples will be oven-dried, ground, and 

digested with peroxide and sulfuric acid. The Zn concentrations in the 

soil extracts and tissue digest will be determined by inductively 

coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Field Zn fertilizer experiments will 

be conducted on sites where soil tests indicate a Zn fertilizer response 

is possible. We will also evaluate lower rates of commercially available 

Zn foliar products. The studies proposed here will include lettuce (leaf, 

romaine, and iceberg), broccoli, cauliflower, and celery. These field 

studies will include measurements of yield and quality as well as Zn 

nutritional status of soil and leaf tissue samples.

$61,070.00
22

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18

Continuation of GHP/GAP 

Certification Cost-Share 

Program

The Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Consultation and 

Training (ACT) division will offer and provide a certification fee cost 

share reimbursement program for fresh fruit and vegetable 

producers/growers, distributors, wholesalers and handlers that 

become USDA GHP/GAP certified.

$4,200.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Continuation of GHP/GAP 

One-to-One Assistance

The Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Consultation and 

Training (ACT) division will offer and provide one-on-one assistance to 

fresh fruit and vegetable producers/growers, distributors, wholesalers 

and handlers so that they can become USDA GHP/GAP certified. This 

assistance program will provide benefits to those producers looking to 

address food safety concerns of their customers. These funds will be 

used for a GHP/GAP Coordinator to expand upon the education and 

outreach efforts of the current GHP/GAP Certification Training 

Program and to provide “one-on-one” assistance to training 

participants as needed to develop GHP/GAP procedures. ACT is taking 

GHP/GAP training to the next level by becoming involved with the Sun 

Produce Cooperative, which grew from the Maricopa County Arizona 

GROUP GAP Project. This project incorporates the small growers of 

Maricopa County into a collective food safety assessment and 

certification system permitting these growers and producers to expand 

their operations and markets.

$52,000.00

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18 Quantitative Assessment of 

Desert Tree Shade

Enumeral Research and Consulting, LLC will conduct a ground truth 

survey of a subset of the Maricopa County urban forest to assess the 

qualitative and quantitative characteristics of temperature mitigation 

by desert-adapted landscape trees. Data collected would constitute

baseline data on these species that could serve as a starting point for 

future research in more complex landscape settings. Such ground truth 

data will be essential in using new remote sensing 

methodologies/technologies, such as drones, to assess and monitor 

urban forests. Analysis of this data will be made available to growers, 

members of the landscape construction and design communities, and 

municipal and industry leaders involved in promoting, expanding and 

maintaining the urban forest.

$20,241.00
23

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arizona 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,501,187.18

Arizona Specialty Crop 

Reference Guide Update 

2019

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) will update and 

reproduce approximately 25,000 copies of an educational reference 

guide for consumers which will include:

· Where our fruits, vegetables, and plants come from and the benefits 

reaped from buying Arizona grown produce and plants.

· Directory of Farmers Markets, U-Pick Farms, and Vineyards 

throughout Arizona.

· Directory of Arizona Wine Grape Growers.

· Listing of Arizona Specialty Crop availability by season.

· Food safety information for fruits and vegetables (what’s being done 

and what consumers can do).

The Arizona Specialty Crop Guide will increase consumer awareness 

and consumption of Arizona specialty crops through its distribution at 

county libraries, cooperative extension offices, and various agricultural 

events.

$70,000.00

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Assisting Specialty Crop 

Procurers in Accessing New 

Market at the Produce 

Marketing Association Fresh 

Summit 2019

The Arkansas Agriculture Department will assist specialty crop 

producers reach new buyers and new market opportunities, resulting 

in new sales. This will be accomplished by providing access to the 

Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit 2019 in Anaheim, CA 

by purchasing space on the exhibition floor, renting a booth, providing 

exhibition passes, and graphics. More than 20,000 buyers will attend 

the show over two days, representing national and international 

companies, leading to new sales.

$78,076.98

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Increasing Supply Chain 

Access for Specialty Crop 

Producers by Reducing 

Barriers

The Arkansas Agriculture Department seeks to increase the number of 

specialty crop growers selling produce into the supply chain by 

establishing relationships with food distributors, collecting information 

on what the distributors require of their produce suppliers, and 

making the information available and easily accessible on the Arkansas 

Agriculture Department’s website. In the second phase of the project, 

the Arkansas Agriculture Department will host an event with 

distributors and growers to facilitate networking with specialty crop 

growers, and will also include a question and answer session.

$19,560.13
24

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Closing the Loop –

Development of Locallysourced Fertilizer via 

Utilization of Food Waste

The University of Arkansas (UofA) will optimize the nutritive value of 

locally-sourced fertilizer developed through the composting of food 

waste from local restaurants. To successfully close the loop on food 

waste in Arkansas, development of a composting process for rapid and 

consistent production of a physically, biologically, and chemically ideal 

fertilizer for specialty crop producers is proposed. Fruit growth of 

tomato, fruit yield and quality will be measured. For both tomato and 

leafy greens, shoot biomass will be dried and measured and then 

biomass will be prepared for nutrient analysis. The primary outcome of 

this project will be the development of a novel technology for rapid 

generation of high quality and safe organic fertilizer from municipal 

food waste.

$44,999.76

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Organic super herb 

turmeric: Production and 

processing for value-added 

uses as an ingredient in 

foods, dietary supplements, 

and cosmetics

The Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas will conduct 

research that will optimize the growth conditions for organic turmeric 

cultivation to obtain higher crop yields and prepare dried turmeric 

powder and curcumin extract as natural colorant and antioxidant 

demand for value added product application. The outcome will be the 

potential promotion of turmeric cultivation practice to meet the 

domestic demand of turmeric. A short-term outcome is to support the 

local growers who are willing to grow this crop, which can result in the 

production of organic turmeric powder with standardized curcumin 

content as a high-quality ingredient. This project will also introduce a 

technology and process through extraction of curcumin from turmeric 

for future application in food products as well as dietary supplement 

and cosmetic formulation for local entrepreneurs. Long term outcome 

of this project will be to establish the production of organic turmeric 

with improved and superior quality of turmeric root/rhizome at an 

economical price and its value-added applications.

$53,000.48

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Plant based biological 

treatments for both 

bacterial and fungal 

pathogens in tomatoes 

grown in Arkansas

Arkansas State University will test and develop a control program for 

bacterial and fungal pathogens of tomatoes using natural plant 

extracts, determine effective dosages of most promising plant extracts 

on greenhouse tomato plants, develop field treatment plans for 

tomato plants. The results will be disseminated to stakeholders via 

growers’ publications, the internet, social media, an industry meeting 

and field days.

$35,126.00
25

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Novel Nutrient 

Management of Organic 

Edamame and Sweet Corn 

Production for New Veteran 

Farmers

The USDA-ARS will develop novel nutrient management options for 

two promising specialty crops (edamame and sweet corn) to new and 

beginning veteran farmers, which will decrease nutrient losses from 

Arkansas’ most abundant organic nutrient source, poultry litter. To 

bring about much needed systems-based innovation, we will develop 

optimal use of an emerging manure management technology under 

rain-fed and irrigated conditions. Results will be disseminated to new 

and beginning veteran farmers through grower meetings and an 

existing beginning veteran farmer program.

$40,000.00

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Economic Optimization for 

New Producers Initiating 

Organic Production

The Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance will research and develop a 

cursory plan for an intensive system of rotation utilizing ‘row crop’ 

type specialty crops such as edamame, dry edible beans, sweet corn, 

and sweet peas in an organic system to maximize the types and 

numbers of crops that can be stacked to capture the highest 

returns/acre. Overall returns, costs, effect on soil health and pest 

management will be evaluated on candidate crops to provide a 

framework to farmers in transitioning to, and creation of, a specialty 

crop operation.

$36,000.00

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54 Arkansas Vine Ripened Pink 

Tomato Project

The University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Agriculture will 

assist Arkansas tomato growers in the production and marketing of 

pink tomato varieties developed exclusively in Arkansas. Research and 

promotion activities will be conducted to identify growers, markets, 

efficient production practices, production protocols, and a unique 

marketing trademark for Arkansas Vine Ripened Pink Tomatoes. An 

advisory committee of growers and other interested stakeholders will 

be organized to investigate the formation of an Arkansas Pink Tomato 

Growers Association (APTGA). If feasible, the APTGA will establish 

growing standards, membership criteria, fees, organizational structure, 

and marketing strategies.

$12,518.48
26

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54

Investigating Hops 

Production in Arkansas to 

Support Specialty Crop 

Growth

The purpose of this project from the University of Arkansas System 

Division of Agriculture is to investigate the feasibility of hops 

production in Arkansas by 1) determining production potential of hops 

in Arkansas (varieties, management, pests and quality), 2) investigating 

economic potential of diversifying farm operations with hops 

production in Arkansas, and 3) creating outreach opportunities for 

hops production in Arkansas. This project is timely for Arkansas to be 

competitive in the specialty crop area. The models developed will 

consist of new models for hop production in Arkansas including 1) an 

economic model, where we will estimate input costs versus potential 

returns, 2) a basic crop management model, including preliminary 

development of a basic fertility schedule, 3) a new scouting program 

specific to hops, and 4) analysis of qualities important to brewers of 

Arkansas-produced hops.

$28,978.56

Arkansas 

Agriculture 

Department

$351,220.54 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$2,756.81

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$2,008,233.62

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (11) California Grown 

Specialty Crop Trade Show

This project will leverage existing Visit California and CA GROWN 

outreach by complimenting ongoing overseas promotional efforts to 

introduce specialty crop foods to a targeted audience of import 

decision makers. Objectives include conducting three outbound 

missions centered on major trade shows in markets with high growth 

potential; hosting sessions for specialty crop exporters to meet with 

importers; executing a promotional campaign in target countries; and 

taking part in other international events to continue specialty crop 

food education and awareness. Specialty crop awareness will be 

promoted via social media in target markets throughout the project. 

Sales are anticipated to increase from $6 million to $9 million (50 

percent) as a result of marketing and/or promotional activities.

$298,165.00
27

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(12) California Grown 

Flowers Retail Promotion 

Campaign

Research reveals that 74 percent of consumers do not know where 

flowers come from; yet 58 percent of consumers would prefer to buy 

California grown flowers over imported flowers. However, California 

cut flower farmers are losing market share to cheaper, imported 

flowers from Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. To better compete for 

market share and drive consumer preference, the California Cut 

Flower Commission (CCFC) seeks funding to conduct California Grown 

Flowers promotional campaigns with retailers operating in California. 

The project would emphasize June, which has recently been declared 

California Grown Flower Month by the state legislature. This project 

will develop retailer-specific promotional campaigns, including pointof-sale marketing materials and videos profiling California cut flower 

farmers.

$176,730.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(13) Creating Demand for 

California Dried Fruit in 

Schools

To meet the demands of school district guidelines as well as the picky 

palates of school-aged children, the California Dried Fruit Coalition 

(CDFC), a coalition of California's date, dried fig, dried plum, and raisin 

farmers, will embark on a research and development project to create 

a new concept featuring all four of California's dried fruit products. 

This is the time to develop a new market and differentiate California 

grown dried fruits due to the impact of imports displacing current 

domestic market shares. The new concept will also provide schoolaged children with much needed nutrition. The CDFC will work with 

the California Polytechnic State University Food Science & Nutrition 

program to conduct multi-phase research to develop the new concept. 

The CDFC will also engage with school industry leaders to gather 

insights and share results to create demand for the new concept.

$288,522.00
28

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(14) Optimizing Access of 

Drip Irrigated, Organic Fresh 

Market Tomatoes to Soil 

Nitrogen Through Grafting 

and Irrigation Management

Drip irrigation can improve water use efficiency and increase the 

sustainability of farming in California. However, drip irrigation poses 

challenges for organic growers. The wetted soil volume is smaller than 

with other irrigation types, potentially limiting nitrogen mineralization 

from organic sources and reducing the zone of root nutrient uptake. 

Grafting is becoming popular for some vegetables and opens exciting 

possibilities to select rootstocks that are better able to explore the 

soil's nutrient pool. This research will examine spatial and temporal 

patterns of nutrient availability, crop uptake, and fruit quality under 

different irrigation schedules and drip tape configurations for grafted 

and non-grafted, organic fresh market tomatoes. The project aims to 

improve the sustainability of drip irrigation in organic systems by 

increasing nutrient use efficiency and decreasing the risk of nitrate 

leaching to the groundwater. The results will be transferable to other 

drip irrigated specialty crops.

$213,338.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(15) Searching the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture 

Fababean Germplasm for 

Genotypes With Enhanced

Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Fababean (Vicia faba) has the highest Biological Nitrogen Fixation 

(BNF) among annual legumes. To use the full potential of fababean as 

a cover crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture fababean germplasm 

will be searched for genotypes with superior BNF. The germplasm has 

been widely used in various breeding programs, but the BNF potential 

is unknown. A population of 50-60 genotypes from the germplasm will 

be established in a replicated field trial. The population will be 

characterized for: 1) morphological traits, 2) biomass production, 3) 

BNF, 4) contribution to soil nitrogen, and 5) water use efficiency. This 

study will be the first to reveal the potential of fababean as a cover 

crop. Promoting fababean (and other legumes) can reduce the need 

for nitrogen fertilizers and animal manures that are known to add to 

environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emission.

$288,353.00
29

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(16) High-Throughput 

Screening for Salt-Excluding 

Walnut and Pistachio 

Rootstocks

Increasing salinity is projected to reduce California agricultural 

production by billions of dollars annually by 2030. Walnut and 

pistachio orchards mature slowly and remain productive for decades; 

therefore orchards planted today must anticipate salinity levels well 

beyond 2030. Most walnut and pistachio rootstocks are interspecific 

hybrids, but diversity for salinity tolerance within Juglans and Pistacia 

is not well understood. This project aims to: 1) optimize highthroughput hydroponic screens for salinity tolerance in walnut and 

pistachio rootstocks and 2) identify sources of salinity tolerance for 

breeding through screening of diverse germplasm. Success will be 

measured by comparing salinity tolerance between established, elite 

clonal rootstocks and newly discovered sources of tolerance.

$147,027.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(17) Strengthening the 

Climate Resilience of Central 

Coast Specialty Crops with 

Organic Amendments Using 

the COMET-Farm Tool

California state agencies are advocating for the use of soil 

amendments derived from organic materials to increase soil health 

and improve climate resilience. The application of these materials has 

shown to increase soil organic carbon content, reduce fertilizer loss, 

and improve nutrient use efficiency. The use of these amendments, 

such as compost, is a common practice within the Central Coast 

specialty crop industry. Yet, fundamental questions remain concerning 

soil carbon sequestration limits, nutrient availability, crop yield 

stability, and greenhouse gas emissions. Previous work has shown that 

the influence of a single compost application on soil nitrogen 

dynamics, such as nitrous oxide emissions under nitrogen fertilization, 

depends on soil texture. This project proposes lab, field, and 

greenhouse experiments to improve understanding of these materials 

and inform the nutrient management component of the Natural 

Resources Conservation Service COMET-Farm Tool, aiming to make it 

more relevant for Central Coast specialty crop producers.

$300,000.00
30

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(18) Developing Sustainable 

and Climate-Smart 

Vineyards Through Sheep 

Integration

Sheep grazing in vineyards is gaining popularity among growers. It can 

provide multiple production benefits, while aiding in climate change 

adaptation and mitigation through gains in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). 

To date, there is no research on Integrated Sheep-Vineyard Systems 

(ISVS) in California and impact assessments are needed. This project 

seeks to understand how more ecologically intensive ISVS may be 

utilized to increase SOC and soil health, and provide multiple 

production co-benefits. The project proposes to setup trials at the 

Huichica Creek Agricultural Demonstration Vineyard across established 

long-term tillage and forage treatments to evaluate the effects of 

sheep grazing. The project will evaluate ISVS effects on: 1) SOC fluxes 

and soil health; 2) nutrient retention and availability; 3) yields and 

quality; and 4) labor, water, and energy inputs. This project will set a 

strong basis to develop novel best management practices.

$278,252.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(19) Effects of Composted 

Olive Pomace on Carbon 

Sequestration, Water 

Retention, and Soil Health in

California Olive Groves

Using compost made from olive pomace (olive meat, seed, and skin 

byproducts) restores soil organic matter, increases soil health, and 

reduces dependence on irrigation. While previous studies have 

demonstrated these beneficial effects of olive pomace compost, little 

is known about the effects on California soils. This study will assess 

which compost blends and rates best increase soil organic matter, 

improve drought resilience, and promote soil health using a 

combination of field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments. The 

project will develop scientific guidelines for using composted olive 

pomace in California and will extend these results through field days 

and educational outreach designed by The Regents of the University of 

California Davis Olive Center, which provides growers with scientific 

information on best practices.

$231,041.00
31

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(20) Carbohydrate Budget 

Analysis Tool for Improved 

Management of Nut Tree 

Orchards Threatened by

Climate Change

This project will develop a new tool called the "Carbohydrate 

Observatory" to enable specialty crop growers to adapt management 

practices to changes in climate based on the Carbohydrate (CHO) 

status of tree crops. Using a citizen science approach, samples from 

growers and lab analysis will collectively build seasonal trends of the 

CHOs of major tree crops throughout California. Preliminary data 

suggests that chill portions, heat units, management practices, tree 

age, etc., are correlated with stored CHOs and may predict yield. 

Affordable access to CHO analysis for growers is an invaluable tool, 

especially for post-harvest management. This project aims to continue, 

over several seasons, to establish seasonal baselines from which 

growers can assess efficient management needs of crop trees.

$268,258.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(21) Evaluating Production 

Practices for Organic and 

Conventional Moringa 

Oleifera in California

Moringa is a new crop for California that is drought tolerant. The plant 

has a growing market as an emerging superfood, has potential for 

increased acreage of organic production, and could be grown on a 

larger scale as it becomes more widely known. This project seeks to 

determine recommendations for production practices for moringa in 

California. Field trials will evaluate several seed accessions under 

different fertilization and irrigation regimes including organic soil 

amendments for growth and yield parameters and nutrient and 

antioxidant content. Plant cold hardiness tolerance and pest 

management strategies will also be evaluated. Recommendations on 

production practices will be made available to a statewide audience 

with the goal of increasing moringa production in California.

$299,736.00
32

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(22) Strategies to Augment 

Water Supply Through OnFarm Recharge on Pecans as 

a Key Element for

Groundwater Sustainability 

Under the Sustainable

Groundwater Management 

Act

Most of the San Joaquin Valley, which exports $20 billion annually in 

specialty crops, is designated as critically over drafted under the 

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). In some areas like 

Tulare groundwater provides half the water used. Unless groundwater 

supply is augmented, SGMA will cut San Joaquin Valley specialty crop 

acreage. On-Farm Recharge (OFR) offers a flexible approach by 

enrolling farmlands to capture floodwater to recharge groundwater. 

Pecans, which are facultative upland species and native North 

American cultivars, are a unique nut crop able to tolerate saturated 

soils and flooding past dormancy and well suited for flood zones. OFR 

practices and economics will be developed on pecan fields in 

commercial orchards. Pecans as a SGMA compliance element will also 

be assessed in the context of regional SGMA planning. Expanding 

pecan acreage could be a potential SGMA compliance strategy. 

Notably OFR will also increase root zone moisture profiles, increasing 

drought resilience and irrigation efficiency.

$292,746.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(23) Development of 

Lettuce Cultivars With 

Improved Water and 

Nitrogen Use Efficiency and 

Environmental

Impact Assessment

Optimal lettuce size and quality are attained during production when 

water and nitrogen are not limiting. Water is an increasingly 

unpredictable resource and climate models predict less water for 

California. Greenhouse gases (GHG) drive global warming, and 

atmospheric nitrous oxide, a long-lived and potent GHG, is the major 

source of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Since lettuce cultivars were 

developed under non-limiting water and nitrogen, this project aims to 

develop cultivars with improved nitrogen and water use efficiency that 

will lower the environmental impact of growing the crop and help 

ensure sustainability in California.

$295,420.00
33

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(24) Improving Date Palm 

Water Use Efficiency 

Through Updated Crop 

Water Use Information and 

Irrigation

Practices

Efficient water management is a priority in the California Low Desert 

(LD) production area. The date palm is ideally suited for the LD region, 

and an accurate estimate of the crop’s water use is essential for 

efficient irrigation practices and drought strategies. Growers have 

started to adopt micro-irrigation, but the lack of information on crop 

water use and the viability of micro-irrigation are the largest 

uncertainties facing date palm growers. This project intends to acquire 

and disseminate relevant information on crop water consumption and 

crop coefficients, to develop a user-friendly irrigation tool, and to 

assess the viability of micro-irrigation in LD date orchards. Extensive 

data collection will be conducted at four commercial, mature date 

palm orchards in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys using a 

combination of cutting-edge ground and remote-sensing technologies.

$299,785.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(28) Selecting Insect Strains 

to Convert Specialty Crop 

Waste Into Value-Added 

Materials

Agricultural waste management is viewed by many as a challenge. This 

project will demonstrate how insect discovery and selective breeding 

is an opportunity to increase the sustainability of specialty crop waste 

management practices. The performance of a range of insect species 

as bioconverters will be compared. High performance insect strains 

will be selectively bred and reared on different organic agricultural 

wastes as animal feed additives. Existing facilities and preliminary data 

that support the claim that insect strains can effectively convert 

specialty crop waste and generate value-added materials will be used.

$179,784.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(25) Integrating Compost 

Into Conventional 

Processing Tomatoes to 

Improve Soil Health and 

Water

Management

Processing tomatoes are one of California's top agricultural 

commodities. Yet practices commonly used by tomato growers can 

lower yields, detrimentally impact soil moisture and quality, or 

promote disease risk, which could limit the long-term viability of this 

specialty crop in the state. Soil amendments and irrigation 

optimization are two resource management techniques with the 

potential for enhancing the sustainability of conventional tomato 

farming in California. This project will compare the costs and benefits 

of using compost and irrigation systems that reduce water use in 

conventional tomato systems. The effects on fruit quality, yield, soil 

pathogen suppression, and soil health will be assessed and outputs 

shared with University of California Cooperative Extension advisors, 

growers, and the scientific community via on-farm workshops, field 

days, conference presentations, and online publications.

$295,762.00
34

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(26) Recycling Nut and 

Other Organic Waste on 

Farms for Sustainable 

Nutrient Management and 

Nematode

Control

About 10,000 growers and 200 processors of almond and walnut are in 

California producing about 2.7 million tons of shells and hulls annually. 

This project aims to create novel solid and liquid pest control and biofertilizer products from almond, walnut, and other organic wastes. 

These products will be used to suppress plant pathogens and pests, 

provide nutrients to tree crops, improve soil properties, sequester 

carbon, and reduce negative environmental impacts of chemicals. The 

solid product will be a mix of anaerobically digested organic waste 

(digestate) and nut shell biochar. The liquid product will be a 

concentrated digestate.

$299,551.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(27) Developing a Hurdle 

Technology of Sequential 

Ozone and Infrared 

Treatment for Improved 

Safety and

Quality of Dried Fruits

California is a top producer of fruits in the world and continues to be 

the number one exporter in the United States. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is 

widely used in the preparation of fruits for drying, to improve the 

product quality and safety. However, it is harmful to human health and 

the environment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the 

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment have removed SO2 

from the safe list of food additives causing health fears for consuming 

dried fruits and great concerns for fruit processors. This project’s goal 

is to develop a hurdle technology using sequential ozone and infrared 

(IR) heating to replace SO2 treatment and produce dried products with 

improved safety and quality without health and environmental 

concerns.

$299,236.00
35

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(29) Developing Best 

Management Practices for 

Tomato Growers to Use 

Compost by Understanding 

the

Effects on Carbon and 

Nitrogen Dynamics

With the implementation of California Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341), the 

availability of co-compost and green waste (also known as Food Waste 

Composting or FWC) as a soil amendment to improve soil health will 

increase. Composts improve soil productivity by increasing water 

holding capacity, tilth, and microbial activity. Frequent application of 

FWC can improve nitrogen (N) availability; however limited 

information is available to tomato growers about reassessing N inputs 

when using this compost. The project’s goal is to improve N 

management planning and the financial performance of tomato 

growers by providing information to develop best management

practices that use FWC. The project will investigate the benefits of 

FWC on tomato yield, soil carbon and N stocks, N use efficiency, GHG 

emissions, and estimate the economic value of FWC use in tomato 

systems. Findings will be reported to stakeholders through extension 

and outreach activities.

$297,210.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (70) Farm Academy: 

Grapes–Vine to Table

The PLANT Foundation Farm Academy creates a connection between 

the science and technology of agriculture and the science and 

technology of everyday life for kids. Farm Academy programs lead to a 

future where students see opportunities in agricultural careers, 

becoming the innovators of tomorrow, and solving problems facing 

farmers. The PLANT Foundation will develop a series of on-demand 

video courses and one live interactive virtual instructional course 

focused on the grape industry. Courses will educate students on the 

history and cultural influences of grapes, the process of raising and 

processing grapes for multiple uses, the different varieties of grapes, 

the nutritional value of eating grapes and grape products, the methods 

to process grapes in the home kitchen, and the career opportunities in 

the grape industry. The goals of this project are to increase the 

awareness, knowledge, and consumption of table grapes and to 

educate and prepare students for the many career possibilities in the 

grape industry.

$48,743.00
36

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(83) Improving Irrigation 

Scheduling for Almonds 

Using Variable Rate 

Microirrigation, Soil, and 

Plant Water

Status Monitoring

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) along with 

more frequent droughts will result in constrained water supplies for 

almond growers. Growers will need to cope with limited water by 

enhancing water use efficiency. The purpose of this study is to help 

growers produce more nut yield per unit of crop water use by adopting 

Variable Rate Micro-irrigation (VRM). The project will develop a 

method for scheduling VRM based on integrated monitoring of the 

soil, plant, and Evapotranspiration (ET). Innovative technologies such 

as the cosmic-ray neutron probe, Stem Water Potential (SWP) sensors, 

and remote sensing of ET will be evaluated in this study. Outcomes of 

the study will include increasing the number of almond growers using 

VRM and the number of growers reporting increase in yield per unit of 

crop water use. The number of growers that have adopted precision 

irrigation technologies such as cosmic-ray neutron probes and SWP 

sensors will be monitored through surveys.

$299,138.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(30) Decision Support Tools 

for Spatiotemporal 

Integration of Citrus Virtual 

Orchard and Soil Sensing

Increasing yield, improving fruit quality, and optimizing harvesting 

operations are the priorities of the citrus industry in California. These 

needs will be addressed by integrating high resolution soil mapping 

and time-lapse virtual orchard (VO), three-dimensional mapping of an 

orchard, in visible, near-infrared, and thermal bands. The main 

objectives of this research project are: 1) to integrate soil mapping and 

VO information to predict yield, fruit quality, and optimal ripening 

time; and 2) to create a user- friendly web platform for the 

management, analysis, and interpretation of the soil and crop data. 

Outreach activities will be geared towards educating growers, 

agricultural consultants, and scientist on the use of VO and geospatial 

soil-sensing technologies. Hands-on field workshops will be offered to 

growers. Three orchards in the eastern San Joaquin Valley will be used 

as research sites over two growing seasons. Three varieties of citrus 

will be investigated.

$298,062.00
37

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(31) Train Next Generation 

Specialty Crop Stakeholders 

to Use Cost and Return 

Studies to Improve Farm

Management Decision 

Making

The competitiveness of California specialty crop farmers is contingent 

on making the best use of farm management time and resources. The 

University of California Agricultural Issues Center conducts farm-level 

cost and return studies on individual agricultural crops produced in 

specific regions in California. This project has three goals: 1) to develop 

15 new cost and return studies for specialty crops; 2) to work with 

farm advisors on developing educational materials that teach specialty 

crop farmers how-to apply cost and return studies to make better 

farm-level economic decisions; and 3) to deliver materials to help 

those in farm finance, insurance, bargaining, and marketing make 

better use of the farm cost and return studies in providing services to 

the specialty crop farm community in California.

$263,587.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(32) Reducing Uncertainty: 

Cover Crop Workshops, 

Outreach, and Education in 

Contra Costa Specialty Crop 

Farms

The Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (RCD) will conduct a 

multi-faceted outreach and education campaign aimed at addressing 

the uncertainties and barriers to cover cropping, as a practice, faced by 

specialty crop growers in Contra Costa County. The project will start by 

surveying Contra Costa growers to collect an industry wide assessment 

of the awareness of and the perceived barriers to cover cropping. With 

that data, the Contra Costa RCD will design an outreach campaign 

including direct mailings, email digests, and social media as well as 

quarterly workshops and biannual site visits to specialty crop farms 

that have adopted the practice. These workshops and site visits will 

rotate around Eastern Contra Costa County where specialty crop farms 

are located. Through this outreach campaign, the Contra Costa RCD 

will work to increase the awareness of cover crops and address the 

barriers preventing adoption, encouraging specialty crop growers to 

adopt the practice for the benefit of their farms and the industry as a 

whole.

$83,256.00
38

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(33) Meeting the Demand 

for Specialty Crop 

Professionals through Youth 

Engagement

A study funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (2015) 

predicts that agriculture will have 57,900 new skilled jobs to fill each 

year and only 35,400 qualified graduates to fill them. More qualified 

graduates in agriculture are needed to meet industry demands. The 

Farming, Agriculture, and Resource Management for Sustainability 

(FARMS) Leadership Program provides high school students with a 

two-year program that includes hands-on experiences in agriculture. 

Students learn about specialty crop jobs while working alongside 

industry mentors during monthly field days that take place during the 

school year. Students participate in job shadowing and internships and 

on completion of the program have a better understanding of how the 

specialty crop industry produces, distributes, markets, and sells crops. 

The goal of the FARMS Leadership Program is for participants to attend 

college with an interest in and/or start a career in the specialty crop 

industry.

$292,586.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(34) Conservation 

Stewardship Training and 

Demonstration for Specialty 

Crop Growers: Investing in 

Your

Farm

California specialty crop farmers face ongoing environmental and 

regulatory challenges including drought, flooding, increasingly irregular 

water supplies, new food safety regulations, and increased monitoring 

of fertilizer and water use. This project has three goals: 1) to train 

farmers on conservation practices that support and conserve farm 

resources; 2) to give technical assistance to farmers implementing 

conservation practices; and 3) to help farmers access conservation 

program funds. Technical assistance will focus on soil health practices, 

which enhance water infiltration and storage and nutrient cycling and 

storage, to improve overall plant health and reduce input costs. 

Success will be measured by evaluating the number of farmers 

implementing new conservation practices, the amount of acreage of 

these practices, and the increased use of National Resource 

Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practices.

$112,458.00
39

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(66) Navel Orangeworm 

Sterile Insect Technique 

Pilot Project

This California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) pilot 

project supports the training of a seasonal staff member by a 

permanent CDFA staff member to conduct the activities necessary to 

release the sterile Navel Orangeworm (NOW). The invasive navel 

orangeworm continues to damage—at rising levels—California’s $6 

billion pistachio and almond crops. The tree nut industry is calling for 

new and improved tools to fight back against this harmful pest. The 

sterile moths will be shipped to California, where the release process 

will be tested and field trial releases conducted in isolated almond and 

pistachio groves to evaluate the impact on NOW populations in the 

test area.

$50,143.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(35) Growing Organics 

Through Workforce Skills 

Development and New Farm 

Incubation

The Growing Organics (GO) project will raise California's 

competitiveness in the fast-growing organic specialty crop industry by 

building the production and management skills of the next generation 

of farmers and agricultural professionals. GO will provide intensive, 

land-based training on organic specialty crop production and farm 

business management to beginning farmers and young agricultural 

professionals, many of whom have a background as field laborers. GO 

will incubate 40 incubator farms on the Agriculture and Land-Based 

Training Association's 100-acre farm in Salinas Valley, providing 

affordable access to land, equipment, markets, and technical 

assistance. Another 60 individuals will gain workforce skills on-farm 

and be connected to agribusiness employers in the region. An 

additional 200 youth from community colleges, high schools, and nonprofit programs will receive on-farm training in organic agriculture and 

guidance on potential career pathways through direct exposure to 

local agribusiness professionals and farmer-entrepreneurs.

$286,811.00
40

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(36) Food Safety 

Management Act and Food 

Safety Training for the 

Specialty Crop Industry

The specialty crop industry can enhance competitiveness by ensuring 

compliance to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This project 

will support California's Central Valley specialty crop industry with 

adoption of FSMA requirements and related food safety

methodologies by providing affordable food safety training. The local 

specialty crop industry has difficulty attending food safety training as 

these trainings are offered in the larger cities and require out of town 

travel that is costly and disruptive to business operations. College of 

the Sequoias has experience delivering value-added, local, convenient, 

and affordable FSMA and food safety related training. This project 

aims to reach the local specialty crop industry including the workforce 

on farms, in packing facilities and in food processing plants.

$192,651.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(37) Training to Support 

Winegrower Adoption of 

Best Management Practices 

to Promote Positive

Environmental, Social, and 

Economic Outcomes

California winegrowers face many compliance challenges due to 

rapidly growing regulations (e.g., water quality, nitrates, air quality, 

and food safety). Technical training, tools, and resources are needed to 

help winegrowers adopt best management practices to more 

effectively comply with regulations and improve sustainability. The 

project’s goals are to: 1) develop tools and resources to help 

winegrowers comply with regulations and increase best management 

practice adoption; 2) evaluate and communicate the effectiveness of 

specific best management practices; and 3) work with government and 

non-governmental partners to seek regulatory recognition, simplify 

the compliance process, and leverage resources. Activities and 

outcomes include 16 workshops and three webinars for 570 

winegrowers, technical assistance for 90 winegrowers, and online tools 

and educational resources for more than 8,000 winegrowers.

$234,889.00
41

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(38) Supporting Small and 

Limited Resource Specialty 

Crop Growers to Adopt 

Efficient Irrigation and

Nutrient Management 

Practices

Specialty crop growers continue to face pressures to adopt Efficient 

Irrigation and Nutrient Management Practices (EINMP) while 

encountering barriers to adoption. American Farmland Trust in 

partnership with Water Quality Coalitions, Resource Conservation 

Districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions (UCCE), 

California State Universities and others will organize and conduct a 

total of 16 workshops with farm tours over two years. The target 

audience will be small and limited resource specialty crop growers and 

employees in the major growing regions of California. The workshops 

will focus on the most current information regarding the availability, 

performance, cost, and implementation requirements for EINMP and 

sources of technical and financial assistance. Workshop attendees will 

be surveyed to assess efficacy of the current support system in 

assisting them with EINMP adoption.

$221,813.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(39) Irrigation Training 

Program: Almond, Citrus, 

Grapes, Pistachio, and 

Walnut

The specific objective of this proposal is to initiate a statewide 

irrigation training program with a certificate of completion to address 

the increasing demand for practical training materials in irrigation and 

fertigation. The initial training will focus on five major specialty crops 

including almonds, citrus, grapes, pistachios, and walnuts grown in the 

Central Valley. Additional training will be conducted for table and wine 

grapes in the major production areas of the Sierra Foothills, Central 

Coast, Temecula, and Coachella. Trainings will be offered to irrigators, 

growers, and farm workers involved in all aspects related to irrigation 

and nutrient management to help them get "more crop per drop" and 

use irrigation and fertilizers efficiently.

$299,506.00
42

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(40) San Diego Farmer's 

Round Table and Business 

Training Program

Vegetable sales for San Diego County farmers fell more than $28 

million from 2015 to 2016. Farming costs have risen with water costing 

up to 30 times more than the neighboring Imperial County. Due to 

these challenges and other factors, business excellence is important 

for farm sustainability. To address this need, Kitchen Table Consultants 

will develop The Farmer's Roundtable and Business Training Program. 

This business improvement program will use mentor-led forums to 

educate farmers on best practices, new ideas, and financial 

comparisons to improve business performance and profitability for 20 

San Diego specialty crop farmers. Topics include bookkeeping 

consistency, financial analysis, opportunity assessment, budgeting, 

sales planning, and marketing tactics and execution, in addition to 

outside one-on-one coaching.

$98,307.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(41) Ensuring Viability of 

California Specialty Crop 

Farms through Food Safety 

and Produce Safety Rule

Training

California suffered 2,305 foodborne illness outbreaks resulting in 

52,440 illnesses, 3,215 hospitalizations, and 108 deaths from 1998 –

2014. . According to the Center for Disease Control, 46 percent of 

those foodborne illnesses have been traced to produce. Since 

education can

help stop foodborne illness from occurring, the Food Safety 

Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) now requires 

many California specialty crop growers to be trained in foodborne 

illness prevention. Education costs for compliance can be high (e.g., up 

to 6 percent of the average annual gross sales for smaller farms) and 

few trainings are available relative to the need. The Farm Employers 

Labor Service, California Farm Bureau, and Safe Food Alliance, through 

a new partnership, seek to provide 20 low-cost trainings to ensure 

compliance with the 2019/2020 requirements for small farms. The goal 

is to provide 1,000 growers with Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) training 

with success measured by the number of growers that become PSAcertified.

$289,200.00
43

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(42) Learn on Your 

Schedule: University of 

California Nursery and 

Floriculture Alliance 

Greenhouse and

Nursery Grower Online 

Training

The University of California Nursery and Floriculture Alliance proposes 

to create a web-based, bilingual, informative training to implement 

practices needed to maintain the competitiveness of California's 

nursery and floriculture specialty crop producers. Funding will support 

adding

English and Spanish narration on presentations about greenhouse 

pests, diseases, basic horticulture, and water management topics. 

These presentations will be converted into videos for online 

educational materials. This project would provide the industry with a 

valuable resource that will benefit Spanish speaking growers with 

knowledge to implement environmentally responsible best 

management practices for the production of greenhouse and nursery 

crops.

$246,915.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(43) Introducing Specialty 

Crops to Students: 

Consumption, Cultivation, 

and Careers

This project introduces students to specialty crops to encourage 

lifelong consumption of California grown fruits and vegetables using 

three educational elements: consumption, cultivation, and careers. For 

the consumption element, elementary students will be encouraged to 

consume specialty crops through field trips to local farmers markets. 

Using a standards-based curriculum, students will meet farmers, learn 

about seasonal produce, and sample specialty crops. Handouts will 

reinforce educational messages. For the cultivation element, middleschoolers will tour farmers’ markets to learn about seasonality, 

growing regions, and farming methods. These students will also visit 

local farms to learn directly from beginning farmers about farming 

practices. For the careers element, high school students, in addition to 

trips to farmers markets and farms, will learn about science, 

management and marketing career opportunities within California’s 

specialty crop industry.

$287,174.00
44

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(44) Time-Sensitive 

Methodology to Reduce the 

Risks of Alternaria Late 

Blight Resistance Build-Up in 

Pistachio Producing States

Alternaria Late Blight (ALB), caused by Alternaria alternata, is a 

destructive pistachio disease and an annual concern for commercial 

growers in California and Arizona. Severe ALB disease is observed in 

about 20 percent of the 1,200 pistachio orchards of California because 

of the conducive microclimatic conditions created by cultural practices. 

ALB control relies on multiple fungicide applications where the efficacy 

of these products has been affected by the presence of molecular 

mutations associated with the pathogens fungicide resistance. The 

project will develop a time-sensitive method to quantify the mutant 

populations during the latent state. The expected output is the ability 

to provide pesticide control advisors with early warnings about 

orchards under resistance risk and to allow the recommendation of 

the best fungicide combination to overcome the issue.

$192,813.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (45) Bring the Farmers' 

Market to Your School

Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles 

Unified School District (LAUSD) have partnered since 2002 on the Bring 

the Farmer to Your School Program. This program, the only one of its 

kind in Los Angeles County, brings local California farmers into Title I, 

LAUSD classrooms to deliver engaging educational experiences about 

California agriculture and nutrition not received through standard 

curriculum. It also incorporates a Harvest of the Month component, 

introducing specialty crops to younger students using interactive 

elements. This project adds connections to farmers markets through 

targeted market presentations and samplings at school sponsored 

events near local markets, to encourage families to purchase and 

prepare specialty crops. Two markets will pilot a monthly kid's cooking 

class, which will give students hands-on experience with preparation 

and consumption of fruits and vegetables.

$299,079.00
45

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (46) San Joaquin County 

AgVenture

AgVenture is a holistic agriculture and nutrition education program. 

Each year, over 1,000 specialty crop farmers, producers, and 

volunteers donate their time and expertise to bring educational 

presentations and displays to educate over 10,000 third-grade 

students and their chaperones at AgVenture field day events. This 

project includes nine field days held in the North, Central, and South 

areas of San Joaquin County for third-grade students, and three 

Healthy Dinner adult education classes for adult chaperones who 

attend AgVenture events. The Healthy Dinner program will serve 45 

adults and reinforce the knowledge and nutritional information shared 

about specialty crops at AgVenture events as well as meal preparation 

with specialty crops.

$192,639.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (47) What's Growin' On?

California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom will develop and 

distribute a free 16-page educational resource to 165,000 students 

(150,000 in English and 15,000 in Spanish) in grades 3-8. The resource 

will contain lesson plans and hands-on activities about nutrition and 

specialty crops aligned to state education standards. It will be 

distributed at no cost to teachers, after school programs, the California 

State Fair, county based agricultural education programs, and educator 

conferences. Students and teachers alike will learn about specialty 

crops and healthy eating.

$49,879.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(58) Release of Generalist 

Parasitoids for Suppression 

of Spotted Wing Drosophila

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, has rapidly 

become a devastating pest of soft skinned fruits across the United 

States. Unlike other Drosophila species, SWD larvae feed on 

undamaged, otherwise marketable fruit. Zero tolerance for SWDinfested fruit in the marketplace has led to crop losses of up to 80 

percent in the Western United States and $718 million nationwide. 

Current management options for SWD rely almost entirely on 

insecticides, which are ineffective against SWD larvae within fruit. 

Prospective biological agents from the native range of SWD are 

currently in quarantine and show promise but do not yet have 

approval for release. There are several generalist parasitoids that 

attack SWD in California, and this project proposes to enhance SWD 

management programs by using natural enemies resident in California 

to suppress SWD populations in non-crop source habitats.

$145,222.00
46

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (48) Ventura County Child 

Wellness Initiative (VCCWI)

The goal of the Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative is to educate, 

inspire, and empower 10,000 children, including low-income or Title I 

students, to be their own healthy hero by eating more specialty crops. 

This expanded and enhanced program will teach children to embrace 

wellness. It will educate students by visiting schools during the day and 

after school in the Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom van to teach students 

about the nutrients and health benefits of Ventura County specialty 

crops. A different crop including berries, celery, citrus, tomatoes, and 

avocado will be highlighted each month. Students will be inspired to 

prepare a healthy after-school snack using specialty crops, while 

partner growers are empowered to donate fruits and vegetables that 

students can take home to share with their family.

$218,684.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(49) Protein Quality 

Research Study of American 

Pistachios to Educate 

Consumers and Health 

Professionals

This project is a research study that could enable pistachios in the 

United States to use the Nutrient Claim, "A Good Source of Protein." 

This is a regulated claim that cannot currently be used without 

research. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the 

protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score along with the 

qualifying protein content per serving in order to calculate the percent 

daily value to make the "Good Source of Protein" claim. The study will 

determine the actual protein quality of pistachios, using a method that 

is accepted by the FDA and the World Health Organization to legally 

promote them as such.

$246,158.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(50) Promoting Alternatives 

to Citrus for Backyard and 

Community Gardeners in 

the Fight Against ACP/HLB

The health benefits of eating the recommended servings of fruits and 

vegetables include reductions in chronic diseases, however only 15 

percent of Los Angeles County adults reported eating five or more 

servings a day. This project has two key goals. First, it will encourage 

Los Angeles County residents to eat more specialty crop fruit by 

increasing access through gardening. Second, the project ramps up 

efforts to engage residents in the fight against the Asian citrus psyllid 

(ACP) and the devastating disease it carries called Huanglongbing (HLB 

or citrus greening disease), which threatens the citrus industry. At 

multilingual events, University of California Master Gardeners will 

share nutrition messages paired with tastings featuring specialty crop

fruit. Participants will also be introduced to the many alternatives to 

citrus for backyard orchards and learn strategies for managing existing 

citrus trees to reduce the risk of ACP and HLB.

$173,380.00
47

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(51) Developing 

Pomegranate as a Specialty 

Crop for K-12 School Lunch 

Programs

The goal of this project is to enhance and expand pomegranate 

consumption in the United States by including pomegranates in 

student lunch pilot programs in California. This research project has 

two objectives: 1) determine K-12 consumer acceptance of 

'Wonderful' pomegranates in school

lunches; and 2) determine consumer preferences for other cultivars in 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service’s 

germplasm collection. Student and parent sensory panels will be 

conducted in K-12 schools to determine preference for 'Wonderful' 

pomegranates versus other pomegranate cultivars grown in CA and 

conventional fruits such as apples and citrus. Parents and siblings of 

schoolchildren will be included in these studies to determine if there is 

a link between parent-child and family preference for this Californiagrown specialty crop.

$83,476.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(52) Identification of Baby 

Leaf Lettuce Varieties and 

Genes for Rapid and 

Uniform Growth, High 

Quality,

and Disease Resistance

Spring mix is a popular type of packaged salad and Baby Leaf Lettuce 

(BLL) is one of the main ingredients. BLL is a higher, value-added crop 

for growers than whole-head lettuce. Seeds for BLL are sown at a very 

high density of 7.4 million seeds per hectare, which makes BLL 

profitable for seed companies. The industry prefers varieties with 

uniform, rapid early-growth and thick leaf textures. High planting 

density enhances occurrence of Bacterial Leaf Spot (BLS), the disease 

that can make the crop unmarketable. This project will evaluate 450 

lettuce accessions for growth rate, chlorophyll content, leaf thickness, 

and resistance to BLS. Chromosomal regions conferring desirable traits 

will be identified. The objectives of the project are to determine the 

best lettuce varieties for each trait and associated genes.

$282,367.00
48

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(53) Investigating and 

Improving Detection 

Methods for Spotted Wing 

Drosophila Insecticide 

Resistance in

California

Insect management for berry and cherry crops was amenable to 

integrated pest management prior to the 2008 invasion of Spotted 

Wing Drosophila (SWD) in the United States. SWD has transformed 

pest management practices and growers now rely on frequent 

applications of insecticides to avoid crop loss. Although growers 

practice resistance management, the lack of alternative controls, 

especially for organic farms, and the short generation time of SWD 

suggests that resistance development may be inevitable. SWD 

populations with tolerance to insecticides have recently been found in 

California berry crops. This timely project will investigate resistance 

mechanisms in these SWD populations by a combination of insecticide 

bioassays and high throughput DNA sequencing. The success of this 

project will be measured by the identification of mutations that confer 

resistance and the development of molecular tools to improve early 

detection of resistant SWD.

$298,414.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(54) Finding Sources of 

Resistance to Armillaria 

Mellea Within the Pyrus 

Germplasm Collection

The objective of this project is to identify sources of resistance to 

Armillaria root disease caused by the fungus Armillaria mellea, within 

the genus Pyrus. Armillaria root disease is an issue of increasing 

concern for the California pear industry and needs to be addressed in a 

timely manner. Currently, no sources of resistance are known among 

the few pear rootstocks used commercially. This project proposes to 

evaluate a core collection of approximately 200 pear accessions from 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Resource Service 

(USDA-ARS) National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, 

Oregon. An in vitro screening assay, previously shown effective for 

identifying resistant germplasm in grape, almond, and walnut (and 

now optimized for pear), will be used to evaluate the core collection. 

Moreover, the phenotypic data collected with the in vitro screening, 

and already available single nucleotide polymorphism-based genotypic 

data, will be used to attempt genome-wide association studies and 

identify the genetic locus(i) linked to resistance.

$291,012.00
49

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(55) Automating Citrus 

Disease Diagnostic 

Procedures Through Inline 

Instrument Engineering

Citrus diseases, such as Huanglongbing (HLB), tristeza stem-pitting, and 

leprosis, could devastate California's citrus. Citrus labs in California test 

thousands of samples every year to protect California's citrus. The 

Citrus Clonal Protection Program and the Technology Evolutionary 

Components Center at the University of California, Riverside have been 

developing inline instruments that incorporate citrus tissue processing, 

nucleic acid extraction, and an inline Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 

thermocycler utilizing the Multifluidic Evolutionary Component (MEC) 

system to increase lab diagnostic capacity. This project will work to 

validate the inline instruments with "real life" samples and measure 

changes in throughput, cost, processing time, and the need for 

specialized labor and equipment. These instruments will also become 

model systems for diagnostics in other specialty crops.

$299,107.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(56) Hyperspectral Remote 

Sensing to Detect and 

Diagnose Arthropod Pests in 

Greenhouse Nursery Crops

In this project, commercial nursery operations will be mimicked to 

demonstrate that Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS) can be used to 

detect and diagnose emerging arthropod infestations such as Lygus, 

whiteflies, leafminers, Western flower thrips, and two-spotted spider 

mites in Gerbera and Chrysanthemum. This project addresses a 

priority for the automation of pest detection in the nursery industry 

and provides the scientific foundation for integration of robotics and 

advanced HRS techniques into twenty-first century nursery operations. 

Specifically, integration of this technology will enable detection and 

diagnosis of emerging pest infestations much earlier than traditional 

monitoring methods (i.e., manual scouting for infestations and 

symptoms), allowing precise control efforts to be taken to help 

prevent severe pest outbreaks.

$281,527.00
50

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(57) New Detection Tools 

and Sustainable Control of 

Almond Canker Diseases

Trunk and scaffold canker diseases are the major cause of tree death in 

almond orchards. These diseases reduce the yield and the lifespan of 

orchards. Canker diseases are caused by many unrelated pathogens 

that infect trees mainly through pruning wounds, cracks, and shaker 

injuries. Field diagnosis is difficult as symptoms among the various 

canker diseases are similar. Laboratory tests are required to obtain 

accurate diagnosis and currently rely on tedious isolation methods. 

Control depends on the use of toxic chemicals with limited efficacy. 

The objectives of this research are to develop new molecular detection 

tools for fast and reliable diagnosis of canker diseases and provide 

biological control solutions to growers to reduce reliance on chemicals 

and improve the sustainability of almond production.

$252,796.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(59) Molecular Detection 

and Quantification of 

Fusarium Oxysporum 

Vascular Wilt Pathogens

Fusarium wilt is an important disease causing significant losses for a 

wide range of California specialty crops. Due to a lack of morphological 

differences among host-specific strains and molecular markers for 

accurate and rapid identification, it is difficult to identify taxa or 

determine inoculum levels in the soil prior to planting. Diagnosis from 

diseased plant material can also be complicated by colonization of the 

host by strains that are not pathogenic. This project will develop a 

molecular assay system that could rapidly identify and quantify these 

pathogens allowing growers to determine the risk of disease prior to 

planting, assess efficacy of control measures, and provide a rapid test 

for diagnosticians.

$296,867.00
51

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(60) Crop Water Stress 

Index for Precision Irrigation 

Scheduling of Pistachio 

Trees

Pistachio is a major crop in California and a suitable candidate for 

deficit irrigation practices without sacrificing the crop yield and quality. 

Deficit irrigation requires precision irrigation to avoid crop loss. 

Precision irrigation is not common in pistachio groves where growers 

more commonly use weather-based irrigation scheduling with a single 

crop coefficient approach and/or soil water profile monitoring. 

Pistachios are almost entirely under micro-irrigation in California even 

though these trees have deep roots and soil water monitoring in the 

top few feet of soil may not indicate the true available water for crop 

use. Thus a more suitable approach for irrigation scheduling is a dual 

crop coefficient approach due to frequent wetting versus a single crop 

coefficient. This project will employ the crop water stress index to 

detect water stress and schedule irrigations. Success will be measured 

by water savings while maintaining crop yield and quality at the field 

level.

$228,650.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(61) Improved Management 

of Strawberry and Lettuce 

Soilborne Plant Pathogens 

Using Microbiome-Based 

Disease Prediction

California is the number one producer of strawberries and lettuce in 

the United States. Soil fumigation has been indispensable for 

maintaining high quality and economic returns in strawberry 

production, and provides indirect benefits for lettuce production. 

Fumigation reduces the propagule density of soil borne plant 

pathogens, including Verticillium dahliae. The severity of soil borne 

diseases depends on propagule density, which steadily increases over 

time following fumigation. Knowing the propagule density is critical for 

the timing of fumigation, determination of application rates, and the 

choice of crop to plant. To make propagule density data more readily 

available, this project proposes using a machine-learning approach to 

develop a model that can accurately predict propagule density in the 

soil based on quantitative characteristics of the soil microbiome.

$299,944.00
52

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(62) Biological 

Characterization of Sterile 

Navel Orangeworm With 

and Without Mating 

Disruption

Navel Orangeworm (NOW) is the key insect pest of almond and 

pistachio, and an important pest of walnut. These crops are planted on 

more than 1.5 million acres and are worth more than $6 billion per 

year. The pistachio industry, in cooperation with the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDAAPHIS), has committed to a pilot program of at least three years 

examining the impact of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) as a component 

of NOW pest management. The research for this project, as an adjunct 

to the pilot project, will test methods for improving the 

competitiveness of sterile NOW, determine the impact of mating 

disruption on competitiveness of irradiated NOW, and compare the 

trapping radius of pheromone traps for males compared to traps 

attractive to females in the presence and absence of mating 

disruption. Deliverables include the documentation of optimal 

conditions for using SIT for NOW and improvement of existing 

monitoring techniques for NOW in the absence and in the presence of 

mating disruption.

$284,220.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(67) Sustainability Research, 

Education, and Promotion 

to Enhance U.S. 

Winegrowers’ 

Competitiveness

The U.S. winegrape growers and vintners face mounting pressure in a 

globally competitive marketplace with growing interest in 

sustainability. The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance in 

partnership with other organizations from California, New York, 

Oregon, and Washington will conduct consumer and trade research to 

gauge interest and understanding of sustainable winegrowing; training 

and education for growers, vintners, trade and consumers; and 

promotion of sustainably produced U.S. winegrapes and wine to trade 

and consumers. The goal of this project is to use research, education 

and promotion to enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. wine 

industry and to increase adoption of sustainable practices to boost 

profitability, long-term viability, and marketability of U.S. winegrapes 

and wine.

$299,998.00
53

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(63) Novel Field-Based 

Diagnostic Strategies for 

Management of Powdery 

Mildew in California 

Specialty Crops

In 2017, California producers lost yield and fruit quality due to 

uncontrolled disease epidemics related to fungicide resistance. This 

project will develop new tools to monitor the development and 

presence of fungicide resistance in pathogens that are responsible for 

specialty crop losses in California. It will build upon current, 

commercially available inoculum monitoring technologies for grape 

and expand them to other high-value crops such as strawberry and 

apple. The project will: 1) assess fungicide sensitivity and stability and 

geographic distribution of isolates collected from table and wine 

grapes across two seasons; 2) validate molecular assays for monitoring 

resistance to quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) and sterol 

14ademethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides in Erisyphe necator and 

develop markers for other groups; and 3) evaluate fungicide sensitivity 

and transferability of diagnostic assays in powdery mildew species on 

strawberry and apple.

$283,760.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(64) Testing the Safety and 

Efficacy of Imported 

Biocontrol Agents for 

Bagrada Bug

Bagrada hilaris, commonly known as bagrada bug, was discovered in 

California in 2008 and has become a damaging pest to cole crops. The 

pest has rapidly spread from Southern California into the Central 

Valley and along the coast to Monterey Bay. Conventional pesticides 

are the primary means for controlling this pest leaving organic growers 

with few options. A long-term solution is the introduction of 

parasitoids specialized on this pest. However no parasitoids specialized 

on bagrada bug are known to occur in California. This project plans to 

test two bagrada bug parasitoids from Pakistan for safety and efficacy 

and to collect other parasitoids within the native range of bagrada bug 

in Africa. Project success will be measured by the number of novel 

parasitoids and non-target stinkbug species tested and the number of 

novel bagrada bug parasitoids discovered.

$202,204.00
54

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(65) Identifying Genetic 

Sources of Virus and Vector 

Resistance in Cucumis Melo 

for New Cultivar

Development

Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV) is a threat to melon 

production in California. Insecticides are not effective in controlling 

whitefly vectors or limiting CYSDV spread. Repeated crop failures have 

led to the elimination of the fall melon season in desert areas. Melon 

cultivars with resistance to CYSDV and whiteflies are necessary for 

restoration of fall melon profitability. The goals of this project are to: 

1) develop rapid, laboratory-based virus and vector resistance 

phenotyping methods to accelerate breeding efforts; 2) use 

phenotyping methods to identify the genetic and molecular 

mechanisms of CYSDV and whitefly resistance in four melon 

accessions; and 3) produce resistant germplasm for crosses with elite 

melon cultivars. As a result of this project, the melon industry will be 

presented with information about newly developed germplasm and 

virus management using host-plant resistance.

$283,335.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(68) Proximal Remote 

Sensing of Plant Pathogenic 

Virus in Western Flower 

Thrips

Specialty crop farmers need improved diagnostic tools to rapidly and 

cost effectively monitor risks posed by insects vectoring crop diseases 

such as Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). Western flower thrips 

transmit TSWV to tomato crops in both California and Florida. This 

project seeks to demonstrate that proximal remote sensing can be 

used to detect TSWV in field sampled Western flower thrips. The main 

goals is to determine if Western flower thrips with and without TSWV 

can be detected with a minimum of 80 percent accuracy and to 

develop a tool that can be adopted and commercialized by diagnostic 

labs to improve monitoring and detection of TSWV for specialty crop 

farmers. This research and diagnostic tool is highly relevant to a wide 

range of insects vectoring important specialty crop diseases including 

other thrips, leafhoppers, citrus and potato psyllids, and aphids.

$299,994.00
55

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(69) California Farm to 

School: Growing Healthy 

Hearts and Minds

This project will increase awareness and consumption of California 

grown specialty crops among school children by supporting farm to 

school programs in California. This project supports the work of the 

California Farm to School Network (the Network) and the 2019 

California Farm to School Conference (the Conference). Farm to School 

programs, which encompass everything from procurement to nutrition 

education to school gardens, are one of the most effective ways to put 

specialty crops on the plates of students and teach them to be life-long 

eaters of fruits and vegetables. The Network will provide ongoing 

support, technical assistance, and resources to farm to school 

practitioners throughout the state, including school food service 

professionals, teachers, parents, specialty crop farmers, and 

community organizations. The project will measure success through 

the general activities of the Network and the Conference specifically.

$293,334.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (71) Buy Local Bok Choy

Special Service for Groups’ Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement 

(APIFM) proposes to increase the competitiveness of bok choy in 

California through increased access and awareness. APIFM will create, 

implement, and evaluate Buy Local Bok Choy, a comprehensive 

campaign aimed at supporting local farmers by engaging local 

community institutions to source bok choy from local Asian and Pacific 

Islander farmers. The impact of the Buy Local Bok Choy campaign will 

be assessed by measuring and analyzing any changes in bok choy sales 

between the local APIFM partner farmers and local community 

institutions throughout the campaign.

$50,000.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (72) Watch Us Grow

The Watch Us Grow project will provide a full “ground to table” 

experience for young people from underserved communities in Fresno 

County. Participants will plant and grow specialty crops during events 

at the African American Farmers of California (AAFC) 20-acre farm and 

at smaller urban farms in Fresno County. Participants will also learn 

about the nutritional benefits of consuming these specialty crops at 

outreach events including recipe development. The goal of this project 

is for participants to develop an affinity for fruits and vegetables and 

an intent to consume more specialty crops. It is also expected that 

some participants will continue with the Watch Us Grow project and 

ultimately enter careers in specialty crop production.

$50,000.00
56

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(73) International 

GardenFood Workshop 

Series

Netiya will offer 12 International GardenFood workshops over the 

course of one year in an International Foods Garden in the San 

Fernando Valley. These workshops will cover water-wise gardening of 

specialty crops; history of crop cultivation throughout the world; 

preparation of a variety of cultural foods; and instruction on how to 

create freshly prepared meals comprised mainly of specialty crops. The 

goal of the workshops to bring together gardening, cooking, and health 

of body, mind, and spirit to foster wellness, self-care, and community 

care.

$50,000.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(74) Increasing California 

Specialty Crop Consumption 

through Summer Youth 

Internship and Youth

Education Youth Program in 

Schools

Huerta del Valle (HDV) will increase the consumption of California 

specialty crops in the Inland Valley service area – especially among 

low-income families – through a youth-led awareness campaign. Ten 

high school-aged youth will be selected for a paid summer intensive 

training internship at HDV’s training farm. Interns will be educated in 

areas of food, farming, environmental conservation, and nutrition. 

Each intern will be responsible for sharing their knowledge with peers 

in the form of five presentations during the following school year. The 

program will be evaluated through quantitative and qualitative 

measures to gauge the attendance of the presentations and the 

effectiveness of the presentations on promoting the consumption of 

California

specialty crops.

$48,674.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(75) Identifying Competitive 

Exclusion Microorganisms 

Against Listeria 

monocytogenes From 

Biological

Soil Amendments by 

Metagenomic, 

Metatranscriptom

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with Clemson University to 

identify competitive exclusion microorganisms against Listeria 

monocytogenes from compost. Compost has been used as a biological 

soil amendment in agricultural practices for centuries, as it provides 

readily available nutrients for plant growth and improves soil 

properties. Owing to the richness of the microbial community, 

compost can also mediate suppression of plant diseases and human 

pathogens. The goal of this proof-of-concept project is to utilize 

powerful high-throughput sequencing approaches to understand 

microbial composition and functions at the microbial community level 

in a variety of composts including dairy waste and poultry waste 

based, and to identify and isolate Competitive Exclusion (CE) microbial 

species. Findings from this project will reveal the diversity of 

indigenous microflora in compost samples.

$48,523.00
57

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(76) Simulation Analysis of 

In-Field Produce Sampling 

for Risk-Based Sampling 

Plan Development

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with the University of 

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to develop and validate a produce-field 

simulation model to evaluate sampling plans. Effective pre-harvest, 

field-level produce sampling is challenging because current practices 

typically yield few positive samples with fields rarely re-testing 

positive. The goal of this project is to provide data and simulation tools 

that will help growers better identify and manage pre-harvest food 

safety risks. As a result of this research growers will be able to: 1) 

develop improved sampling plans for in-field produce; 2) customize 

those plans for their individual fields; and 3) quantify the performance 

and costs of the new plans to make the business case for their 

implementation. Project findings will be published in at least two peerreviewed, open-access publications.

$268,172.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(77) Towards a DecisionSupport Tool for Identifying 

and Mitigating On-Farm 

Risks to Food Safety

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with University of California, 

Davis, to develop decision-support tools for produce growers to 

minimize risk. Growers, industry, and conservation organizations have 

expressed strong interest in making informed decisions about on-farm 

practices to improve produce safety without comprising 

environmental health. While evidence is accumulating regarding the 

efficacy of many practices, results are often not made available to 

growers in a useable way. The first goal of this project is to synthesize 

existing literature to develop data driven, pre-harvest, decisionsupport tools to help growers predict and mitigate risks associated 

with foodborne pathogens. The second goal is to explore novel 

methods for suppressing foodborne pathogens—specifically, this 

project will evaluate how soil amendments and farm management 

affect the ability of feces-feeding soil bacteria to suppress pathogens 

(Escherichia coli and Listeria). By combining literature syntheses with 

lab and field experiments, this project will provide growers with both 

new strategies for mitigating pathogen prevalence and an effective 

tool to assist in navigating decisions regarding the food safety and 

conservation “stale-mate.”

$316,358.00
58

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(78) Illuminating the Role of 

Whole Genome Sequencing 

in Produce Safety

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with the University of 

Arizona to improve the use of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) as a 

tool to investigate foodborne outbreaks. As WGS continues to be 

developed as an investigative tool it needs to be refined to maximize 

its potential, and thus reach the ultimate goal of speeding up 

investigations. The goal of this project is to determine the mutation 

rates of Salmonella, Listeria, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 during longterm persistence in agricultural soil and irrigation water maintained 

under different geographical conditions. Understanding these 

mutational rates will help improve the development of the Food and 

Drug Administration’s GenomeTrakr for regional identification during 

an outbreak investigation as well as using this data to close internal 

knowledge gaps within the produce industry.

$90,644.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(79) Development of a 

Model to Predict the Impact 

of Sediments on Microbial 

Irrigation Water Quality

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with the University of 

Arizona to determine how sediment, pathogens, and flow properties 

affect irrigation water quality in canal systems. Sediments at the 

bottom of waterways can serve as reservoirs for enteric pathogenic 

bacteria; however, little is known about the impact of sediment 

resuspension on microbial water quality in constructed irrigation 

canals. This project will determine the impact of sediment-associated 

indicators (e.g., sediment size, flow velocity) and pathogens (i.e., 

Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and enteric viruses) on the 

quality of irrigation water in constructed canal systems. Project results 

will be used to develop guidelines for growers and producers for risk 

assessment and sampling strategies to minimize the occurrence of 

pathogenic bacteria and viruses in irrigation water in canal systems.

$156,344.00
59

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(80) Preventive Sanitation 

Measures for Listeria 

monocytogenes Biofilms in 

Critical Postharvest Sites

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with Clemson University to 

develop preventative sanitation measures against Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) biofilms in stone fruit packinghouses. The project 

will investigate critical packinghouse microenvironments where 

bacteria can reside and serve as reservoirs. These critical areas will be 

identified directly in stone fruit packinghouses in California, in 

collaboration with plant management, through topographical 

measurements and environmental swabbing, and then will be 

recreated as fabricated surfaces for laboratory testing regarding the 

potential for biofilm formation. The team also will test whether the 

sanitizer treatments selected for this study meet or exceed 

Environmental Protection Agency requirements for hard surfaces 

found in the packinghouses other than stainless steel. Results from this 

study will provide improved pathogen control in addition to basic good 

agricultural practices, thereby helping the stone fruit industry to 

produce safer produce for human consumption.

$115,774.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(81) Listeria Monocytogenes 

Growth Potential, Kinetics, 

and Factors Affecting its 

Persistence on a Broad

Range of Fresh Produce

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service-Beltsville Agricultural 

Research Center in Beltsville, MD to evaluate the growth potential, 

kinetics, and persistence factors of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) on 

produce. Lm has been implicated in several produce associated 

foodborne outbreaks and is a major concern for the fresh produce 

industry. Information is urgently needed on Lm growth potential and 

underlying factors for growth on commodities for which there are 

limited, conflicting, or no data. The goals of this project are: 1) to 

examine Lm growth potential and kinetics on a large variety of whole 

and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables representing multiple produce 

categories, under typical pre-market storage and/or retail display 

conditions as well as under elevated abusive temperatures; and 2) to 

investigate how the nutritional and physiochemical characteristics and 

microbiota of the produce commodity affect Lm growth and 

persistence. The expected outcome from this project will be 

information that can be used by industry and regulatory agencies as 

well as the scientific community to develop best practice, risk-based 

guidelines and control applications.

$389,372.00
60

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(82) Non-Fouling Food 

Contact Surfaces –

Prevention of Biofilm and 

Surface-Mediated CrossContamination

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with the University of 

Massachusetts, Lowell, to enhance the non-fouling properties of Food 

Contact Substances (FCS). Sanitary design and sanitization are critical 

steps to help ensure food safety and prevent pathogen crosscontamination mediated by FCS. The overall goal of this project is to 

develop an applicable postharvest preventive control approach to 

enhance the non-fouling properties of FDA-approved FCS against 

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) biofilms for the produce industry. The 

research team will: 1) evaluate non-fouling properties of existing FDAapproved FCS; 2) enhance FCS performance by simple and costeffective physical/topographical modification without altering the 

chemical composition; 3) evaluate whether the top-performing FCS are 

compliant with sanitary designs for the fresh produce industry; and 4) 

validate the research findings at a fresh-cut processing pilot plant. 

Project outcomes will provide scientific information that will support 

sanitary design of packing, holding, and processing equipment and 

devices, coatings, and coating modifications to simplify cleaning and 

sanitization, and to prevent pathogen attachment and biofilms on FCS 

for new and retrofitted equipment.

$289,092.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83 (1) California Grown – Love 

California

The “Love California” campaign will educate and inform a targeted 

audience by demonstrating the process from growing to transporting 

specialty crops from start to finish, while educating the audience about 

the love and care farmers and farmworkers put into producing 

specialty crops every step of the way. A new event program entitled 

“Meet California Grown” will simultaneously engage California 

shoppers at point of sale and through various digital platforms. The 

program will develop and distribute new weekly recipes featuring 

multiple California specialty crops, California specialty crop farmers, 

and in-season California specialty crop content.

$1,547,200.00
61

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(2) Food Safety Compliance 

Training for Specialty Crop 

Producers

The Training Institute, an entity of State Center The California Training 

Institute will address the priority of assisting California's specialty crop 

growers, farmers, producers, and manufacturers in adopting the 

standards and requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act 

(FSMA) to reduce the risk of product recall or other financial 

repercussions. The target region includes the eight counties of Central 

California's San Joaquin Valley. The project estimates that 420 

specialty crop growers and workers will satisfy the FSMA safety 

requirements and gain knowledge of the FSMA compliance by 

engaging in: 1) Produce Safety Alliance certified training for growers 

and key personnel; 2) a train-the-trainer program for farms doing 

worker produce-safety training in-house; and 3) produce safety 

training for farms not offering worker training.

$132,399.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(3) "Outstanding in Their 

Field," a Promotional 

Campaign Tying California 

Farmers' Conservation 

Efforts to the California 

Grown Identity

"Outstanding in Their Field" addresses the need to create a greater 

connection between farmers and consumers by sharing farmer stories, 

conservation efforts, and more. This 7,000 square foot California 

grown exhibit, which will be designed and built for transport, will be 

featured at three consecutive CA State Fairs and includes product 

tasting, retail market space, and a social media campaign tying 

consumers to the California grown identity using the CA State Fair 

website. The goal of the exhibit is to connect farmer stories to today's 

environmentally conscious consumer resulting in increased awareness 

about the quality of California grown specialty crops as well as sales.

$293,552.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(4) California Food for 

California Kids: Summer 

Meals Promotion in the 

Central Valley and Riverside

County

The Center for Ecoliteracy will work with regional clusters of school 

districts that are part of the California Thursdays® Network in 

Riverside, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties to conduct "Farm to 

Summer" capacity building and marketing campaigns to promote 

California grown fruits and vegetables in fresh, healthy summer meals. 

The program builds on a pilot 2016 Specialty Crop Block Grant-funded 

summer meal promotion by advancing the creative design and the 

most successful marketing strategies. The program is designed to 

increase procurement of specialty crops for summer meals, awareness 

of specialty crops in summer meals, and the consumption of fruits and 

vegetables at summer meal sites within the school districts.

$290,405.00
62

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(5) Leveraging the California 

Grown Identity to Boost 

Sales of California Olive Oil 

to Nationwide Retailers

California produces 99.2 percent of the olive oil in the United States. 

Over the past five years, retail sales of olive oil in the United States 

grew by 22 percent while California olive oil sales rose by only 4.5 

percent. The United States is buying more olive oil but foreign olive oil 

purchases dominate the market. California needs to differentiate its oil 

to grow sales. The California Olive Oil Council (COOC) represents 90 

percent of California olive oil growers and is the only entity that 

promotes on behalf of the entire industry. Through this project COOC 

seeks to leverage the California grown identity and promote olive oil to 

retailers nationwide. The project will target high-value retailers and 

train growers to market themselves since 90 percent of California olive 

oil growers have their own label. The goal is to increase sales by $66.7 

million directly benefiting growers.

$297,438.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(6) Leveraging the California 

Grown Identity to Grow 

California Prune Sales 

Among Generation X and

Millennial Snack Consumer

There is an industry need for marketing efforts that can drive higher 

returns to California prune growers. Sunsweet Growers (SSG) 

represents 65 percent of prune sales in the United States and 244 

California prune growers and through this project seeks to share the 

value of California grown prunes with Generation X and Millennial 

snack consumers on behalf of all growers. This will be accomplished by 

launching a public relations and digital advertising campaign that 

leverages the rise in value-added dried fruit and nut snacking by these 

consumers and new California prune snack products in the market. 

The goal is to boost consumption of California prunes to drive a 13.8 

percent sales increase by 2020 while lower-value, unprocessed bulk 

prunes are shifted to higher, value-added uses.

$300,000.00
63

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(7) California Backroads: 

Growing Markets for 

California Grown Wine on 

the Roads Less Traveled

There has been a 32 percent increase in wine imports in the United 

States since 2001. California wine sales in the United States have fallen 

10 percent since 2004 and long-term declines are predicted. Imports 

are now 35 percent of the market in the United States. California 

growers and vintners need to reverse this trend and prevent further 

import traction now to maintain viability. For this reason, expanding 

California Grown wine grape and wine sales is an industry priority. To 

accomplish growth in wine grape and wine sales, the Wine Institute, 

representing approximately 1,000 California wineries and 85 percent 

of wine production in the United States, seeks to launch a marketing 

campaign to create awareness and demand for lesser-known California 

wine regions.

$295,001.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(8) California Grown Figs FIT 

a Healthy and Active 

Lifestyle: A Robust Digital 

Marketing Campaign to

Increase Demand for 

California Grown Figs

Figs and fig products are gaining in popularity due to the strong 

nutritional profile and portability of figs. This is a prime opportunity for 

California fig farmers to ensure consumers are seeking out California 

grown figs. The California fig industry produces 100 percent of the figs 

sold commercially in the United States, while imports represent 60 

percent of figs sold in the United States. The California fig industry has 

seen a 67 percent increase in fig imports since 2015. The project aims 

to raise awareness, stimulate consumption, and drive sales of 

California grown figs by establishing a robust presence online where 

today's consumer is actively seeking out health and nutrition 

information.

$296,800.00

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(9) Zinfandel Stories: 

Preserving California's 

Legendary Vineyards

Economic forces are pressuring farmers to replant California's 

Zinfandel vineyards with varieties that are not uniquely Californian. 

Increasing the profitability of small-block Zinfandel farming by 

increasing demand for single vineyard designated wines will allow 

vineyard owners to preserve historic plantings for future generations. 

This project will raise awareness of this issue by connecting consumers 

with farmers, winemakers, and vineyards via multiple touch points 

including innovative digital storytelling, media, consumer and trade 

events, and tours. Key influencers will visit vineyards and hear farmer 

stories.

$259,141.00
64

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

California 

Department of 

Food and 

Agriculture

$22,677,909.83

(10) California Specialty 

Crop Sales and Promotional 

Mission to Southeast Asia

This project will expand opportunities for California specialty crop 

stakeholders through export promotions, media events, and trade and 

consumer educational opportunities throughout Southeast Asia. In 

partnership with CA GROWN, the Center for International Trade 

Development (CITD) will host activities highlighting specialty crops 

ensuring regional buyers understand the value of these high quality 

products. Targeted outreach activities will provide opportunities to 

develop new export sales via business-to-business meetings arranged 

by CITD on behalf of California specialty crop exporters. Promotions 

will include product sampling and chef demonstrations focused on 

using California specialty crops in local dishes. As media and consumer 

awareness promotions are established, export activities will build on 

the project's momentum with promotions in each target market. The 

project will conclude with an outbound trade mission serving 20 

California specialty crop suppliers.

$299,241.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CDA Colorado Proud

The Colorado Department of Agriculture will implement a television 

advertising campaign in the Denver metro market during the summer 

of 2019 aimed at encouraging consumers to buy Colorado grown fruits 

and vegetables. The project will use cash receipt data from USDA 

Economic Research Service to determine an increase in sales for 

Colorado produce. Consumers in the market will also be surveyed to 

determine if they are more likely to buy Colorado grown fruits and 

vegetables labeled with the Colorado Proud logo. Project results will 

be shared with growers and produce organizations through 

newsletters and presentations.

$57,000.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CDA Caribbean Inbound 

Trade Mission

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) will work directly with 

the Colorado specialty crop industry to identify companies interested 

in exporting product to the Caribbean. CDA will work with a contractor 

located in the Caribbean to find buyers who are interested in buying 

US specialty crop products from Colorado. CDA and the contractor will 

make sure the buyers are suitable and able to buy product from the

participating Colorado companies. In 2019, CDA will arrange for 

Contractor and qualified buyers to travel to Colorado to meet one-onone with participating Colorado companies, tour local facilities and 

farms and see the US retail market.

$30,000.00
65

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 RMSG Sod

The Rocky Mountain Sod Growers (RMSG), in partnership with the 

Northern Colorado Water Conservation District, will engage consumers 

with facts and scientific information concerning the benefits of sod to 

the environment, and to property values, thus allowing consumers to 

make educated choices with their landscaping needs and desires. In 

2019 the RMSG would like to run a total digital campaign, update the 

official website, and invest more in geo-targeting. We also want to 

more effectively boost our social media campaigns and extend 

advertising time.

$25,000.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 Livewell

LiveWell Colorado will promote specialty crops to low-income 

communities throughout Colorado through the Double Up Food Bucks 

program (DUFB). DUFB increases access to healthy food, increases 

sales for specialty crop farmers, and keeps food dollars circulating in 

local communities. LiveWell partners with 85 farmers markets, farm 

stands, and small and large retailers to promote Colorado-grown 

produce to low-income communities throughout the state. When 

customers spend $1 on any SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Incentive 

Program) eligible items, they receive $1 for Colorado-grown fruits and 

vegetables. DUFB only partners with Colorado producers and at most 

sites incentives can only be spent on Colorado-grown fruits and 

vegetables.

$59,930.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CWIDB Extension

The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) and the 

Colorado Association for Viticulture and Enology will work jointly to 

establish a master’s level viticulture specialist position within Colorado 

State University’s (CSU) Extension Service to expand the outreach and 

informational resources available to Colorado’s wine grape growers. 

The position, based out of CSU’s Western Colorado Research CenterOrchard Mesa in Grand Junction, will conduct seminars, workshops, 

site visits and other educational opportunities in all regions of 

Colorado where wine grapes are being grown or are being planted on 

an experimental basis. The program is intended to improve the quality 

of wine grapes grown in Colorado through the additional information 

and resources this position will make available to Colorado’s grape 

growers.

$73,860.00
66

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 Pickens Hydroponic

Pickens Technical College, a career and technical school within Aurora 

Public Schools, will transform a greenhouse with state-of-the-art 

hydroponic technology so that it can use the greenhouse to produce 

specialty crops to be sold to the Aurora Public Schools Nutrition 

Services Department. This lettuce will be a consistent source of locallygrown, high-quality produce for APS cafeterias. The Urban Agriculture 

program at Pickens Technical College will purchase and install the 

hydroponic equipment in one existing greenhouse during the summer 

of 2019 so that students will be able to begin planting and harvesting 

crops in September of 2019. These students will be responsible for 

monitoring the crops and harvesting approximately every two months. 

The lettuce will then be sold to APS cafeterias across the district. This 

lettuce will allow APS to increase the diversity of meals offered on APS 

menus and introduce students to locally-grown produce.

$40,000.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 Youth Farm Stands

Slow Food Denver and Denver Urban Gardens will increase the 

awareness and consumption of Colorado specialty crops by supporting 

schools in the growing, purchasing, marketing and selling of specialty 

crops, befitting the community with fresh produce, enhancing 

educational opportunities for students and supporting a fundraising 

program for the school gardens. We intend to expand the reach of the 

YFS program throughout the participating school communities through 

intentional marketing materials and processes that we will develop.

$23,635.00
67

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CPAC Soil Health

This project is a partnership between the Colorado Potato 

Administrative Committee (CPAC) and Colorado State University (CSU) 

designed to enhance the competitiveness of potato growers through 

increased understanding of potato production systems that will 

improve soil health. This research will provide best management 

practices to Colorado potato growers resulting in improved soil health. 

Improved soil health will result in building sustainable soil fertility with 

fewer inputs, reductions in yield robbing soil-borne pathogens, and 

potential environmental benefits from less pesticide and irrigation 

water use. This project is designed

to enhance and expand upon previous research CSU, USDA and Agro 

Engineering have conducted on cover crops, biological nematode 

control, and companion cropping potential. This research will 1) 

determine soil-borne populations of pathogens, neutrals and 

beneficial bacteria and fungi in response to rotational length and 

cropping sequence, 2) determine the contribution of rotation length 

and diversity on soil fertility status, and 3) determine the economic 

benefits to these cultural practices alone and in combination. Field 

studies will be conducted on farm under commercial grower 

operations. A major output of this work will be the development of 

best management practices to enhance the resilience of soil in 

intensive potato cropping systems.

$69,340.00
68

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Weed Control

The Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University (CSU) will 

improve the competitiveness of specialty crop producers in Colorado 

by offering discovery learning opportunities designed to engage and 

equip growers with results-based best management practices for 

sustainable and sensible weed control.

We will conduct an observational weed study to further evaluate an 

OMRI-approved, non-synthetic herbicide. Suppress® is a new 

formulation containing caprylic acid (47%) and capric acid (32%). 

Evaluating this relatively new tool and teaching growers about its 

usefulness will help them make decisions regarding weed 

management on their farm. Our observational weed study will assess 

the efficacy and phytotoxicity of caprylic/capric acid applied to weeds 

in diversified vegetable cropping system. This observational weed 

study plays a central role in our outreach plan.

A secondary impact of our outreach plan is that growers who attend 

these workshops may share what they discovered with their 

neighbors, thereby providing others the testimony for which they are 

looking.

$24,995.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Cytospora

This Colorado State University (CSU) project aims to develop 

integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for Cytospora canker on 

peaches in Colorado. We will build on previous research that enabled 

the development of a molecular marker specific to Cytospora 

leucostoma, the causal agent of Cytopsora canker in peach orchards in 

western Colorado. Our specific objectives are to characterize the 

epidemiological cycle of C. leucostoma that allows for new canker 

infections by determining if spores are disseminated aerially, and/or by 

insects. Further, if C. leucostoma is insect vectored, we will determine 

the insect species involved in dissemination.

$36,786.00
69

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Perennial Production

Colorado State University has partnered with Plant Select® to increase 

the success of propagation of herbaceous perennials that are 

especially adaptable to the Rocky Mountain Region. By developing 

protocols designed to optimize rooting efficiency and decrease costs 

and labor and sharing these methods through meetings with industry 

professionals in the region as well as presenting and publishing our 

data, we aim to increase productivity in the propagation of Plant 

Select® species. The practices that we hope to further investigate 

include sprinkler nozzle types used in cutting propagation, sprinkler 

duration, and evaporation control. Our goal is to investigate these 

practices in further depth while controlling other variables, and to find 

the best propagation systems that result in more uniform propagation 

and increase the number of cuttings that will successfully root from 

stock plants of varieties that have been more difficult to successfully 

propagate on a production scale.

$53,348.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Perennial Propagation

Colorado State University has partnered with Plant Select® to increase 

the success of propagation of herbaceous perennials that are 

especially adaptable to the Rocky Mountain Region. By developing 

protocols designed to optimize rooting efficiency and decrease costs 

and labor and sharing these methods through meetings with industry 

professionals in the region as well as presenting and publishing our 

data, we aim to increase productivity in the propagation of Plant 

Select® species.

$14,163.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$106,546.38
70

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Powdery Scab

This project will be completed by Colorado State University (CSU) 

researchers and will take place at the CSU San Luis Valley Agricultural 

Research Station. This project addresses the soil-borne potato 

pathogen Spongospora subterranea subsp. subterranea (Sss), which 

causes the disease powdery scab. Powdery scab is one of the major 

potato diseases in Colorado and it impacts potato quality, storability, 

and export. We will test spore germination methods under field 

conditions and the outcome will be research-based recommendations 

for powdery scab management in potato fields. We will test chelated 

iron, which is reported to induce Sss spore germination, to determine 

if it reduces Sss inoculum in soil. We will also test common rotation 

crops to determine how these crops affect pathogen inoculum. 

Because potato farmers also must manage other important soil-borne 

diseases, we will also monitor Helminthosporium solani (cause of silver 

scurf), Colletotrichum coccodes (cause of black dot), and pathogenic 

Streptomyces (cause of common scab) in our field plots to confirm that 

the treatments being tested do not result in higher levels of these 

other common pathogens. Well-established PCR assays are available 

for all of these pathogens, so molecular assays will be used to monitor 

inoculum levels.

$40,000.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Cool Season Legumes

Colorado State University will evaluate the feasibility of growing coolseason (dry pea and lentil) and warm-season (chickpea, faba bean, and 

blackeye) grain legumes across the state. Research plots will be 

established at four locations across the state including irrigated and 

dryland systems. High yielding and quality cultivars of dry pea, lentil, 

chickpea, faba bean, and blackeye will be planted in two growing 

seasons. Feasibility of growing these crops under various conditions 

will be determined using experimental and modeling approaches. The 

results will be used to determine feasibility of including these crops in 

Colorado cropping systems under various soil, climate, and farming 

specifications.

$52,640.00
71

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CSU Specialty Crops 

Production Research

The Colorado State University (CSU) Specialty Crops Program (SCP) 

Coordinator will oversee and conduct well-focused research combined 

with technical support and outreach to provide Colorado specialty 

crop producers with science-based information to stimulate 

innovation, competitiveness, and success. Specific projects the CSU 

Coordinator will manage include greenhouse and field evaluation of 

drought tolerant cucurbits (i.e. summer squash and watermelon) 

under deficit irrigation, weed management, demonstrating the proof 

of concept of plasticulture “grow tubes” in a field environment to 

reduce consumptive water use and water loss due to deep percolation, 

and winter production of strawberries grown under supplemental LED 

top lighting of various spectra.

$68,509.00

Colorado 

Department of 

Agriculture

$875,483.20 CDA Colorado Pavilion 2019 

PMA Fresh Summit

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) will partner with 

Colorado produce associations, growers and handlers to exhibit at the 

Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit Expo to be held 

in Anaheim, CA October 17-19, 2019. A Colorado Pavilion at PMA, the 

largest produce expo in the United States, increases exposure and 

sales potential of Colorado specialty crops and companies. CDA will 

assist up to 12 Colorado companies and associations in gaining a 

national and international buying audience through attendance at 

Fresh Summit Expo, increasing awareness of Colorado as a reliable 

supplier of fruits and vegetables.

$98,739.00

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$39,092.00

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60

Economic Impacts of 

Greenhouse Grown 

Specialty Crop Production

This project will implement targeted analytics that will be utilized to 

generate a comprehensive greenhouse specialty crop 

industry study that will detail its economic value to Connecticut’s 

economy. This study will address greenhouse grown specialty crop 

production, associated trends, marketplace competition, emerging 

industry challenges, and it will offer a blueprint for greenhouse 

specialty crop producers to consider for implementation in their longterm strategies.

$45,500.00
72

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60

Intercropping wine-cap 

mushrooms in Christmas 

trees

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) will develop a 

new intercrop, wine-cap mushroom for Christmas tree farms using 

woodchip mulch. The project has dual purposes: 1) develop a new cash 

crop, wine-cap mushroom for Christmas tree farms; 2) use woodchip 

mulch to improve root health by controlling weeds and thus 

preventing damage from herbicides, maintaining cool, moist soil 

conditions, suppressing injurious root pathogenic nematodes, and 

adding organic matter into the soils. The combined effects will improve 

establishment and growth and lead to growing better Christmas trees.

$75,000.00

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60

Integrated Pest 

Management (IPM) 

education for Varroa 

destructor mites in honey 

bees

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will develop and 

deliver educational seminars on Integrated Pest Management 

Strategies for the Varroa destructor mite, the number one killer of 

honey bee colonies in Connecticut.

$58,076.00

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60

Evaluation of Heirloom 

Tomato and Onion Cultivars 

for Growing and

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will evaluate 45 

varieties of heirloom tomatoes and 30 varieties of onions for yield, 

quality, disease resistance, and marketability and will disseminate 

results to stakeholders through grower meetings and field days as well 

as Station bulletins, fact sheets, and peer reviewed articles. Yield, 

quality, and disease resistance of each variety will be evaluated at two 

research farms in Hamden and Windsor for three years. In addition, 

tomato and onion plants will be supplied to three farmers to include in 

their operation and they will provide feedback on the yield, quality, 

and disease resistance of the varieties as well as their marketability as 

they sell each variety.

$54,807.00

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60 Connecticut Native Shrub 

Cultivars

The University of Connecticut will develop propagation methods 

sufficient for large-scale production by commercial growers for 

Connecticut derived cultivars of the ecologically important and 

landscape adaptable native shrubs bayberry, sweet fern, mountain 

holly and spicebush. Two hands on workshops will be conducted 

where growers will learn how to successfully propagate the new 

Connecticut native cultivars. Growers will have the opportunity to trial 

the Connecticut native cultivars for adding to their product lines.

$23,085.00
73

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Connecticut 

Department of 

Agriculture

$414,125.60

Increasing the Access and 

Awareness of Connecticut 

Grown Specialty Crops to 

Chinese Americans

This project has plans increase access and awareness of Connecticut 

Grown specialty crops to the ever-growing Chinese American 

population in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York’s 

metropolitan areas through television, social media, print, and 

interactive opportunities. Outreach efforts will take place April 

through October with the outcomes of the project measured through 

bus tours and other means to experience Connecticut Grown specialty 

crops and specialty crop farms.

$118,563.00

University of the 

District of 

Columbia

$240,527.67

Graduate Urban Agriculture 

Apprenticeships to Enhance 

Competitiveness of 

Specialty Crops in the 

District of Columbia

Capital City Farm, a limited liability company, will utilize bio-intensive, 

aquaponic, and hydroponic production methods to train University of 

the District of Columbia (UDC) graduate students through a one-year, 

renewable Graduate Urban Agriculture (GUA) Apprenticeship. This 

apprenticeship will create pathways to entrepreneurship and job 

creation in the urban agricultural supply chain including production, 

processing and preparation, and distribution. Each GUA Apprentice will 

address and expand on one of the following goals of UDC centered 

food hubs: (1) Specialty crop production through biointensive and 

efficient urban agriculture including hydroponics and aquaponics. (2) 

Specialty crop processing and preparation through commercial 

kitchens that also serve as a business incubator. (3) Specialty crop 

distribution through networked farmers’ markets, grocery stores, 

restaurants, farm stands and/or community supported agriculture 

(CSAs).

$74,236.93

University of the 

District of 

Columbia

$240,527.67

Urban and Island 

Sustainability: Evaluating 

the Use of Repurposed 

Waste for Production of 

Specialty Crops

The University of the District of Columbia will partner with the USDAARS and the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill (Barbados) to 

investigate the potential of using green waste products to lower inputs 

of fertilizer, irrigation, and weed management. This will also increase 

the yield and nutrient density of hot peppers and sweet potatoes in 

the U.S. and Barbados. We will encourage adoption of green waste 

mulch for specialty crop production by providing results to, and 

working directly with, commercial and home growers.

$74,236.93

University of the 

District of 

Columbia

$240,527.67 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$17,816.88
74

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

University of the 

District of 

Columbia

$240,527.67

Implementation of a 

Moveable Urban Farm to 

Increase Specialty Crop 

Access in Urban Food 

Deserts

While paved space is often available for temporary use in urban 

settings, long-term access to viable property for specialty crop 

production is a frequent problem for urban farmers. Using 300 selfcontained grow-boxes, DC UrbanGreens will demonstrate the potential 

of a moveable urban farm model to increase urban specialty crop 

production on properties available for a term of 9 months or more. At 

the conclusion of our project, we will publish a “How-to” manual, for 

public dissemination, to encourage others to consider urban specialty 

crop production on vacant, urban land, even if only available for 

temporary use.

$74,236.93

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Evaluating Monitoring 

Techniques and Natural 

Enemies for Improving 

Cucurbit Pest Management

This University of Delaware research project will conduct research on 

the two most important cucurbit pests, two-spotted spider mites and 

cucumber beetles, and their natural enemies. Commercial watermelon 

fields will be sampled for spider mites, cucumber beetles, and their 

natural enemies on a weekly basis to identify potential for biological 

control. Spider mite populations in research plots will be manipulated 

to determine thresholds for treatment. Rye strips will be sampled in 

the fall and spring to determine how they might contribute to spider 

mite survival and early season buildup and predatory mite habitat. 

Commercially available insect-killing nematodes will be evaluated for 

cucumber beetle management in research plots. We anticipate 

additional management options will be identified that would reduce 

pesticide input, preserving chemical management tools by decreasing 

resistance selection pressure, and reducing exposure to non-target 

organisms and workers. Educational materials and outreach will be 

provided to stakeholders.

$26,930.93
75

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Development and Testing of 

Lima Bean Varieties with 

Improved Plant Architecture 

and Stress Tolerances

Lima bean breeding efforts at University of Delaware have been 

carried out by the Extension Vegetable and Fruit program, with 

support from faculty from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. 

The first two cultivars from the breeding program were released in 

spring 2016. The proposed project will address product quality 

problems currently troubling lima bean growers and processors and 

build on past work to address three major production constraints of 

lima bean in Delaware: heat stress, downy mildew caused by 

Phytopththora phaseoli, and root-knot nematode (RKN). Breeding and 

selection for upright plant architecture will increase mechanical 

harvest efficiency and improve succulent bean quality by keeping pods 

from coming in direct contact with the soil. Heat tolerance will 

improve succulent bean quality by reducing split sets which cause dry 

seed to be present at harvest. Resistance to downy mildew and RKN 

will decrease need for pesticide applications and reduced production 

costs for the lima bean crop, which is important for the viability of 

Delaware’s processing vegetable industry.

$47,508.00

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Utilizing Poultry Byproduct 

Compost for Vegetable and 

Small Fruit Production

The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension vegetable program 

will be the lead partner in this project and will work with Perdue 

AgriRecycle to evaluate compost produced from poultry litter and 

other poultry biproducts for vegetable and small fruit production. The 

goal of this project is to evaluate how to best use this compost with 

specialty crops in Delaware.

$41,764.00

Delaware

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Market Access Assistance to 

Delaware Growers through 

Third-Party Food Safety 

Audit and Water Testing 

Support

The Delaware Department of Agriculture, Food Products Inspection 

Section, hopes that through this grant, we can assist in offsetting the 

financial burden on Delaware growers in continuing their food safety 

education and obtaining a Third-Party Food Safety Audit. These 

growers may take a significant financial hit in efforts to comply with 

new rules and regulations set forth by buyer requests and the Food 

Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Parts of these efforts are the 

extensive and costly water testing that growers are required to be 

perform. Water testing and other effects will continue to provide safe 

food for Delaware citizens, as well as citizens of the United States and 

abroad.

$47,089.58
76

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Improving the Viability of 

Commercial Broccoli 

Production in Delaware

Magee Farms will be partnering with the University of Delaware 

Extension Vegetable Program to test the potential to expand 

commercially viable broccoli production in the spring and to expand 

commercially viable late-Summer and Fall production of broccoli in 

Delaware. On-farm trials evaluating new varieties and breeding 

materials for both Spring and late-Summer/Fall production as well as 

particle films will be used to demonstrate the potential for developing 

a more viable broccoli industry in Delaware. This will allow for 

expanded production into other seasons and thus allow Delaware 

growers to supply the demand for local broccoli in our region over a 

longer period. The overall goal is to increase current broccoli 

production from the current level of under 10 acres to over 200 acres.

$43,870.00

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Increasing the Sustainability 

of Beekeeping in Delaware 

through Education and 

Teaching Apiaries

This three-year specialty crop block grant intends to engage 

beekeepers and specialty crop growers through increasing the honey

bee education available in Delaware. The Delaware Department of 

Agriculture (DDA) and beekeepers are developing Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) for beekeepers. These practices will be explained and 

demonstrated in workshops, trainings, and involving hands-on sessions 

in a network of teaching apiaries. The multiple teaching apiaries will be 

maintained by DDA, Delaware Beekeepers Association (DBA), 

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, and Wesley College, 

thus increasing our reach and collaboration. These education 

opportunities will improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities that 

beekeepers need to operate their apiaries in a sustainable manner and 

minimize colony losses. This will in turn benefit specialty crops with 

healthier pollinators and allow for increased income for beekeepers, 

through honey, wax, and pollination services.

$49,949.80
77

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Read It and Eat: Teaching 

Children about Specialty 

Crops through Books in 

School Libraries

Delaware Farm Bureau will increase children’s knowledge, and 

thereby, the consumption, of specialty crop foods by placing into 

elementary school libraries at least a dozen books that accurately 

describe these crops and how they are grown, harvested, and eaten. 

Children are more likely to taste a new food if they have been 

introduced to it in an engaging manner. Books will be housed in a 

colorful, enticing, made-to-order “Book Barn” bookcase presented to 

each school library at an assembly arranged with the school at which 

an age-appropriate book will be read, and connections made to 

Delaware farmers who grow specialty crops. A take-home page will be 

provided which lists locally produced specialty crops and a link to the 

Department of Agriculture website showing where they can be

purchased, along with recipes for their use.

$37,906.70

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

A Value Chain Approach to 

Expanding Production and 

Marketing of Ethnic Produce 

in Delaware

Delaware State University Cooperative extension program will conduct 

specialty crop research and demonstrations at university farms and 

farmers’ plots and conduct food demos at farmers’ markets, state 

fairs, and other extension events. This project aims to help Delaware 

farmers increase the availability and marketability of high quality 

ethnic fruits and vegetables that are in high demand in the Northeast 

and Mid-Atlantic States. Delaware State University will collaborate 

with University of Delaware, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 

producers, buyers of ethnic produce, and consumers. The project will 

primarily target small, immigrant and minority producers in Delaware 

and surrounding communities; however, all producers will have access 

to information that comes from the project.

$45,747.70

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$1,891.70
78

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Delaware 

Department of 

Agriculture

$362,527.73

Let the Worms Bee: How to 

Control Small Hive Beetles 

(Aethina tumida Murray) 

with Entomopathogenic 

Nematodes

The University of Delaware, Department of Entomology and Wildlife 

will research the Small Hive Beetle. The Small Hive Beetle (Aethina 

tumida Murray) is a non-native sap beetle that feeds, defecates, and 

reproduces in honey bee and bumble bee colonies. Currently no 

effective in-hive treatments exist to reduce adult populations of this 

beetle. Control strategies focus on chemical treatments (pupal stage) 

and in-hive traps (adult stage). Entomopathogenic nematodes are 

effective at infecting the immature stages of the beetle; however, once 

larvae are present in a colony significant damage has already occurred, 

and the pupal stage is difficult to target due to its secretive behavior in 

the soil. Researchers from University of Delaware’s Entomology and 

Wildlife Ecology Department will examine the infectivity of four 

entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema feltia, S. carpocapsae, S. 

kraussei, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) on the pupal and adult 

stages of the Small Hive Beetle. We will also examine the non-target 

effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on honey bee (Apis mellifera 

L.) and bumble bee (Bombus sp.) larvae and adults to design a safe and 

effective in-hive treatment for adult small hive beetles. Results from 

this work will be used to develop and deliver management strategies 

to Delaware beekeepers to ensure pollination services for specialty 

crop growers.

$19,646.00
79

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Combating insecticide 

resistance in silk flies 

infesting Florida sweet corn

This project aims to develop a glass vial bioassay that will be used to 

determine the threat of pyrethroid resistance in silk fly populations in 

the Everglades Agricultural Area and the Homestead area. In addition, 

field evaluations will determine whether the use of biological 

insecticides can enhance pyrethroid efficacy against silk flies. 

Laboratory and field experiments will determine the efficacy of 

selected conventional insecticides for control of silk flies. Anticipated 

outcomes of this project are a more sustainable sweet corn production 

system and greater capacity of sustainable practices associated with 

increased knowledge of stakeholders and increased adoption of 

recommended practices, respectively. Greater efficiency of silk fly 

insecticidal management is anticipated to increase cost savings, as well 

as economic and environmental sustainability. Thus, this project is 

expected to enhance the competitiveness of Florida sweet corn 

growers. This two-year project will be conducted primarily at the 

UF/IFAS Everglades REC in Belle Glade and Tropical REC in Homestead.

$105,249.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Development of Hop 

Cultivars and Their 

Production Management 

System for Florida Growers

In this two-year project, we propose developing higher yielding hops 

cultivars adapted to Florida’s climate through 1) screening H. lupulus 

var. neomexicanus germplasm native southwestern U.S climate and 

potentially less sensitive to day length and chilling hours for use in 

conventional breeding, 2) in parallel, reducing day length sensitivity in 

existing superior cultivars using the cutting edge CRISPR gene editing 

technology, 3) testing chemical interventions to overcome low winter 

chilling hours, and 4) developing integrated pest management 

practices appropriate for Florida’s climate. This work will be conducted 

at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in 

Apopka, FL. The project will result in high-quality hops adapted to be 

grown profitably in Florida’s sub-tropical climate.

$193,517.00
80

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Yield forecasting system for 

the Florida blueberry 

industry

The Florida blueberry industry experiences production pressures from 

South America in March and Georgia in May. With the rapid expansion 

of major acreage in Mexico, the industry has experienced crippling and 

extreme production pressures. The Florida Blueberry Growers 

Association will develop or obtain a Florida Yield Forecasting System by 

modeling a Florida specific matrix which accounts for differing 

developmental needs and yield potentials of each age-variety 

combination to accurately project blueberry production yields by the 

week for the entirety of the Florida season. 

Accurately predicting statewide production and informing retailers of 

the volume and availability during the production window will ensure 

that growers can remain competitive.

$134,499.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Mechanical Picker for 

Strawberry Harvesters

The University of Central Florida (UCF) and University of Florida-Gulf 

Coast Research and Education Center (UF-GCREC) will develop aa new 

mechanical picker that is plug-and-play in different strawberry 

harvesters, universal for different strawberry varieties, and can harvest 

strawberries by mimicking a human’s hand without damaging fruits, 

leaves or plants. Additional outcomes include picker performance 

analyses, assessed mechanical damage on plant canopy and 

postharvest fruit quality, and economic impact of the new technology. 

The long-term goal of the project is to rejuvenate the Florida/domestic 

strawberry industry by accelerating the development and adoption of 

mechanical harvest systems and reducing the dependence on everdecreasing harvesting labor.

$232,189.00
81

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Exploration and 

Implementation of Novel 

Small Molecule Compounds 

for Management of 

Bacterial Spot in Tomato

The University of Florida Board of Trustees will explore the efficacy of 

novel small molecule compounds, including carvacrol, N-acetyl-Lcysteine (NAC), 3-indolylacetonitrile (IAN), and D-leucine, along with 

the plant-derived large molecule compound, tannic acid, to manage 

bacterial spot of tomato. The proposed project will be completed with 

the following objectives (1.) determining the minimum concentrations 

of the compounds for significant reduction of bacterial spot on 

tomato, (2.) optimizing application timing of the compounds for best 

efficacy in control of bacterial spot on tomato, (3.) exploring the 

potential for improved efficacy against bacterial spot by incorporating 

each compound with reduced copper-based bactericides, (4.) 

investigating the mechanisms of the compounds in control of bacterial 

spot of tomato, and (5.) evaluating and demonstrating efficacy of the 

compounds for control of bacterial spot on tomato under field 

conditions. Completion of this project will be expected to lead to the 

development of a cost-effective and environmentally friendly 

approach to manage bacterial spot, particularly for the disease caused 

by copper resistant strains of X. perforans.

$210,261.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Increasing sales of Florida 

Peaches

The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation’s goal is to create awareness of 

the young and growing Florida peach industry to both retail buyers as 

well as consumers, and to increase sales of peaches for Florida 

growers. 

Through cooperation with the Fresh From Florida staff, both 

educational and promotional materials will be developed to encourage 

retail promotion of Florida peaches during peak season. This program 

will include advertising to the produce retail buyers to increase 

awareness of Florida peaches, development of a website, and a 

social media campaign will grow a community of Florida peach 

advocates, connecting consumers and retailers. Funds are requested 

to support trade advertising to engage retailers, development of instore sampling programs and circular advertising by retailers, expand 

Facebook outreach, and develop social network outreach to engage 

consumers.

$249,367.00
82

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Profitable Development of 

Protected Agriculture

This project will contribute to the development of profitable 

commercial farms using protective structures (greenhouses, high 

tunnels, and shade structures) to grow vegetables and herbs in Florida 

and other southeastern states. Profitable business models, based on 

market research and analysis of production costs will be developed, 

and educational programs for growers will facilitate adoption of those 

models. Ultimately, this project will support beginning farmers going 

into specialty crop production, help growers increase revenue, and 

contribute to the expansion of regional food systems, including farmto-school programs. To achieve these outcomes a team of researchers 

and extension agents, with input from a stakeholder advisory 

committee and other collaborators, will conduct a market assessment, 

set up year-long production demonstrations, conduct profitability 

analyses, prepare educational materials, and deliver Extension 

programs.

$104,023.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Smart Strawberry 

Monitoring and Logistics

Using strawberry as the test model, The University of South Florida 

Board of Trustees will tackle the significant issue of fresh specialty 

crops postharvest waste caused by poor distribution practices. The 

outcome of the project will be the establishment of a quality-based 

distribution system which leverages state-of-the-art advances in 

sensor and communications technologies to monitor product quality at 

the pallet level from harvest to distribution, with the destination of the 

pallets selected at the distribution center to match their remaining 

shelf life. We will establish the most straightforward and cost-effective 

way to monitor strawberry quality, using wireless temperature sensors 

embedded with strawberry quality models and translating measured 

temperatures into remaining shelf life values. We will then quantify 

the reduction of waste achieved by implementing a quality-based 

inventory management strategy at the distribution center, where the 

destination of the pallets is matched to their remaining shelf lives.

$151,582.00
83

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Improving St. 

Augustinegrass for 

Resistance to Southern 

Chinch Bug

In this project, The Florida Subtropical Crop Research Laboratory 

propose to use plant breeding approach to screen for high resistant 

plants from a segregating population, determine genetics of the 

resistance, and identify DNA molecular markers associated with the 

resistance. The anticipated results should be helpful for determination 

of the suitable breeding method to facilitate integration of the 

resistance into adapted cultivars. The outcomes of this project will play 

a key role in development of resistant cultivars and their use in sod 

production, landscaping, and home lawns in Florida. Use of resistant 

varieties is important to the sustainability of the sod producing 

industry and critical to the maintenance of high quality turfgrass in the 

Florida residential areas.

$148,295.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Tasting Florida's Rainbow

The desired outcome of Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc.’s 

‘Tasting Florida's Rainbow’ project is to expand students’ and teachers’ 

knowledge of the variety of specialty crops that can be grown in 

Florida, their nutritional benefits, and to improve access to these fruits 

and vegetables, therefore increasing consumption. These desired 

outcomes will be reached through three different tasks. The first task 

will be the distribution of seventy-five $500 school garden grants. 

Florida teachers will be eligible for these grants, be required to grow 

Florida specialty crops and use at least one lesson from one of FAITC’s 

school garden curricula. The second task will be the creation of two 

‘Rainbow of Nutrition’ specialty crop plant selection guides. The third 

task will be teacher workshops. We will hold at least seven school 

garden focused workshops throughout the state of Florida. Teachers 

will learn how to use their school gardens as a teaching tool and learn 

which specialty crops are grown in Florida and how to best incorporate 

those into their gardens.

$65,670.00
84

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Anhydrous AmmoniaAlternative Soil Fumigant

We propose to study the prospects of using anhydrous ammonia (AA), 

a readily available and widely used source of nitrogen fertilizer, as an 

alternative soil fumigant in vegetables. To facilitate an even 

distribution and adequate retention of applied AA, a deeper shank 

application of AA followed by chiseled incorporation will be explored, 

prior to pressing the beds and plastic mulch installation. As an added 

measure to prevent the fumigant escape, we will also explore the 

possibility of using nitrification inhibitor, such as N-Serve to delay the 

conversion of AA to nitrate, and to improve the retention and efficacy 

of applied fumigant.

$90,194.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Comprehensive Lettuce 

Downy Mildew 

Management

We aim to identify the races of B. lactucae present in Florida 

andevaluate Florida adapted breeding lines that belong to the 

University of Florida Lettuce Breeding Program to identify levels of 

resistance and/or tolerance. Fungicidal efficacy will also be 

investigated and integrated into a comprehensive management 

program with varietal resistance to minimize fungicide resistance, a 

very real threat with DM pathogens. This will insure that Florida 

producers will have the most effective tools available and be able to 

use them in the most cost-effective manner. Generated knowledge will 

be shared with the stakeholders through the Cooperative Extension 

Service.

$156,003.00
85

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Developing a Florida 

Tomato Products Industry to 

Benefit Additional Cropping 

Solutions for the Existing 

Packing/Processing Houses 

in Florida

The desired outcome of this project is to conduct proof of concept 

research to expand the Florida tomato market by determining the 

feasibility of producing processed tomato products (juice, paste, sauce, 

etc.). Processing tomatoes have the potential to provide a new 

industry for growers and keep a juice processing industry in Florida. 

This University of Florida Board of Trustees research aims to 1) 

integrate the existing juice processing infrastructure, 2) provide 

increased value for fresh market tomato culls, and 3) deliver a market 

for mechanically harvested CGH tomatoes. This project will develop 

pilot scale products created from Florida tomatoes to identify 

advantages or disadvantages over current commercial products, and 

conduct economic analysis for developing a Florida tomato products 

industry. Pilot products will be developed from fresh market tomatoes 

representing a possible tomato cull (off-grade but intact) source, and 

CGH tomatoes. A tomato juice product has been selected to begin 

initial studies, with this research potentially extending to other 

processed tomato products.

$146,491.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Identifying Caladium 

Cultivars with Resistance to 

Major Diseases and 

Nematodes for Florida 

Growers

Due to the repeated occurrence of Pythium root rot, Fusarium tuber 

rot, bacterial leaf blight, and root-knot nematodes, caladium tuber 

yield has dropped by approximately 50% over the last 15 years. These 

diseases and nematodes have caused extensive economic losses to 

caladium growers and have severely impacted greenhouse growers, 

nurseries, and landscapers who depend on caladium tubers. These 

diseases and nematodes also pose a huge threat to the marketability 

of caladium tubers to foreign markets. Florida caladium growers have 

urged us to identify caladium cultivars that can resist these diseases 

and pests and help them produce a decent crop of quality tubers. In 

this project, 12 recently introduced cultivars and 30 new caladium 

selections will be evaluated for resistance to Pythium root rot, 

Fusarium tuber rot, bacterial leaf blight, and root-knot nematodes. The 

identified resistant cultivars and caladium selections will be multiplied, 

and tubers will be distributed to growers for them to use as planting 

stock.

$179,662.00
86

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Strategies to Improve Peach 

Fruit Quality and Size

Fruit quality and market acceptability in peaches are reliant on 

optimum fruit size and high soluble solids (sugars). Variable and small 

fruit size can be serious obstacles for Florida peach growers, who 

spend a significant amount of money and time attempting to meet 

consumer and market requirements for optimum fruit sizes. This 

project will focus on developing techniques to increase fruit size with 

high sugar content to improve Florida peach marketability. An 

approach based on the influence of fruit location within the canopy on 

fruit size will be tested for integration into winter pruning and fruit 

thinning practices. Such a technique potentially can improve peach 

fruit size under the Florida environment and reduce the risk of 

production in the short term. Using plant growth regulators (PGRs) for 

improving fruit size can also provide an opportunity to manipulate fruit 

size and quality in the long term. We will test PGRs to induce fruitlet 

abscission, so the remaining fruitlets size more quickly. Using PGRs to 

enhance or extend cell division in the remaining fruitlets will be tested 

to further increase fruit size. Improving fruit size and quality by 

selective thinning and application of PGRs will simplify orchard 

management and reduce the cost of peach production.

$149,976.00
87

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Integrating attract-and-kill| 

biological control| and 

disruption in gut microbiota 

to improve management of 

Drosophila suzukii in Florida 

blueberries

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, is 

a serious economic threat to the small fruit industry. The first desired 

outcome for this project is to investigate the effect of attract-and-kill 

technology (SPLAT) on SWD populations. The desired outcome will be 

accomplished by evaluating the relative attractiveness of SPLAT to 

SWD in laboratory experiments and the effectiveness of SPLAT to 

manage SWD in blueberry fields. A second desired outcome is to 

survey for and identify natural enemies of SWD in blueberries. We will 

evaluate the presence of natural enemies of SWD in blueberry fields 

using sentinel traps with SWD infested fruit. We will also sample for 

predators using sweep netting and vacuuming and gut content analysis 

will be used to confirm whether predators fed on SWD. A third desired 

outcome is to investigate the role of symbiotic microbes associated 

with SWD and their potential for their use in pest management. We 

will test SWD foraging preference toward bacteria and yeast isolated 

from blueberry and other host plants using established trap assays. 

The findings from the proposed project will provide alternative 

strategies to weekly chemical sprays that stakeholders can adopt as a 

sustainable approach to manage SWD in blueberries.

$156,020.00
88

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Identifying Sterile| Noninvasive Cultivars in 

Lantana| Ligustrum and 

Nandina for Florida’s 

Environmental Horticulture 

Industry

Cultivated forms of Lantana montevidensis, Ligustrum sinense, and 

Nandina domestica are very important specialty crops for the Florida’s 

$21 billion environmental horticulture industry. However, these 

species have been listed as invasive. This status has caused substantial 

losses of sales and is severely limiting the marketability of these crops 

and restricting their use in Florida. The goal of this proposed project is 

to assess the invasive potential of Lantana montevidensis, Ligustrum 

sinense, and Nandina domestica cultivars and identify sterile, noninvasive alternatives for Florida nurseries, growers, and landscape 

service businesses. The specific tasks are to 1) collect Lantana 

montevidensis, Ligustrum sinense, and Nandina domestica cultivars, 

evaluate their invasive potentials in north and central Florida, and 

identify non-invasive cultivars, 2) prepare and submit Infraspecific 

Taxon Protocol requests for newly identified non-invasive cultivars for 

consideration by the IFAS Invasive Plants Working Group to 

recommend their use in Florida, and 3) disseminate findings to the 

industry and the general public. The completion of this project will 

bring immediate benefits to the industry, increase the marketability of 

sterile, non-invasive cultivars, and help reduce the potential 

environmental impact of lantana, ligustrum and nandina.

$181,030.00
89

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Tahiti' limes and limehybrids| citrus greening 

rootstocks

This project builds on the previous project to establish and maintain a 

lime and lime-like scion-citrus greening rootstock (CGR) demonstration 

trial to determine the best lime scion-rootstock combination for 

increasing a renewed lime industry in Florida. 

The desired outcomes of this project are continuing the evaluation of 

the tree scion-rootstock performance. Trees are now beginning to 

produce fruit and data on fruit quality and yield is essential and will 

allow us to conduct economic analyses and formulate management 

recommendations for potential and existing lime producers. In 

addition, information on the insect and disease control tactics used 

during the project will inform management recommendations 

provided lime growers. General tasks to be performed include (1.) 

monitor and document scion-rootstock growth and development to 

assess tree performance, including citrus greening tolerance, fruit 

yields and quality, (2.) monitoring and documenting insect pest 

pressure and citrus greening status of the twenty scion-rootstock 

combinations, including replicates, (3.) continue the collection of 

financial cost, potential returns and economic feasibility of lime or 

lime-like citrus production, and (4.) offer seminars, workshops, and 

field days to inform current and potential lime producers of the results 

of the project and recommendations on crop management.

$234,436.00
90

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Managing emerging threat 

by three whiteflytransmitted viruses 

(CuLCrV| CYSDV| and 

SqVYV) in commercial 

vegetable production

The vegetable industry in Florida is currently under threat by damaging 

outbreaks of three whitefly transmitted viruses affecting watermelon, 

snap bean, and squash (Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV), Cucurbit 

yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and Squash vein yellowing virus 

(SqVYV).) To develop an integrated management program, we propose 

to identify alternative weed hosts for the viruses, determine the 

distribution/ hotspots of the three viruses across major vegetablegrowing regions in Florida through field surveys, identify vegetable 

germplasm/ cultivars resistant or tolerant to the viruses, and evaluate 

novel integrated management strategies. The outcomes of the project 

include new disease/ whitefly management strategies, identification of 

epidemic hotspots where these strategies can be aggressive deployed, 

and identification of resistant germplasm/ cultivars tolerant for 

adoption by growers. These outcomes will benefit watermelon, snap 

bean and squash growers through not only reduced crop losses, but 

also decreased use of chemical pesticides in commercial specialty crop 

production.

$270,220.00
91

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Optimizing Nitrogen Rates 

and Postharvest Quality for 

Luffa and Yardlong Bean 

Production in NE Florida

Production of more than 40 Asian vegetable crops is rapidly expanding 

in Florida. Optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization is imperative for the 

economic and environmental sustainability of Asian vegetable 

production; however, there are no UF/IFAS recommendations for N 

fertilization available. This project will enable us to establish nitrogen 

fertigation recommendations for luffa and yardlong bean and test 

hydrocooling to extend shelf life of both crops. Four N fertigation rates 

will be compared using luffa and yardlong bean for the experiment. 

Number of luffa fruits and luffa yield, yardlong bean yield, will be 

measured for two growing seasons. The petiole sap nitrate levels will 

be determined at three growth stages. Also, plant greenness will be 

measured at the growth stages. Leaf tissue will be analyzed for total N 

concentration; and soil will be sensor-monitored continuously for 

temperature, moisture content, and electrical conductivity. Vegetable 

yields response to the N rates, along with leaf nitrate levels and 

greenness will result in N fertigation recommendations for the 

vegetables. Field packing with and without washing and use of 

hydrocooling with sanitized water will be studied to reduce 

postharvest loss. Growers will enhance income via optimizing plant 

productivity and extending shelf life of these crops.

$148,730.00
92

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Non-Fumigant Nematicide 

Cocktails

Soil fumigation is the backbone of Florida’s plasticulture cropping 

systems which are used to produce most vegetables and fruits in the 

state. Plasticulture has undergone significant optimization since its 

inception in the 1970s in Florida, including use of new plant varieties 

and improved methods for applying water and chemicals (e.g. drip 

irrigation, fertigation and chemigation). However, soil fumigation is 

still the cornerstone of soilborne pest and disease management in 

Florida, especially when nematodes are a concern. One of the main 

reasons for this is that until recently no non-fumigant nematicide 

alternatives were available to Florida growers, except for Vydate, an 

old carbamate insecticide/nematicide, which is only registered in 

vegetables and has been in short supply for the past years. 

Fortunately, more recently several new nematicides have become 

available in Florida, and for the first time non-fumigant nematode 

management has now become a possible alternative to soil fumigants. 

Our hypothesis is that we can increase the efficacy of these new 

nematicides by combining and/or mixing them. Combinations or 

cocktails of chemicals have often shown to be more effective at killing 

pests/diseases than each of the chemicals used separately.

$139,289.00
93

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Novel weed control for leafy 

vegetable production

We propose to initiate development of lettuce varieties with herbicide 

resistance using chemical mutagenesis and conventional breeding by 

screening advanced breeding lines of lettuce against broad-spectrum 

herbicides for growers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of 

South Florida. Additionally, we will determine persistence of selected 

herbicides in organic soils used for production in the EAA to help 

determine residual weed control and rotational crop choices. 

Successful production of leafy vegetables in the EAA is hampered by 

lack of effective chemical weed control attributed to limited number of 

herbicides available for selective control of problematic weeds. As a 

result, growers rely on costly hand labor provided by seasonal migrant 

workforce to supplement herbicide weed control. Because discovery 

and development of new herbicides for small acreage crops such as 

leafy vegetables are limited, utility of existing herbicides with broadspectrum weed control to develop varieties through enhanced nontransgenic genetic resistance is important. Non-transgenic inherent 

resistance of leafy vegetables to broad-spectrum herbicides will 

provide growers with new options for efficacious weed control, 

allowing for sustenance and expansion of production to meet growing 

demand while also lessening dependence on seasonal migrant 

workers.

$132,003.00
94

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Optimizing Nitrogen 

Fertigation in Blueberry

Optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization is critical for successful blueberry 

production. However, in Florida, there are no research-based 

recommendations for N fertilization of mature blueberry plants. We 

will develop nitrogen fertigation recommendations for mature 

blueberry plants grown in pine bark amended soil in Florida using an 

established blueberry field at the Plant Science Research and 

Education Unit, Citra, FL. Five N fertigation rates will be compared 

using 'Farthing' and 'Emerald' blueberry plants. The planting will be 4-5 

years old during the experiment, which is an ideal age for a mature 

blueberry planting. Plant canopy size, yield, berry size and internal fruit 

quality will be measured for two seasons. Additionally, leaf tissue will 

be analyzed for total N concentration, and the soil will be measured 

periodically for nitrate concentration and pH; and measured 

continuously for temperature, moisture content, and electrical 

conductivity. Seasonal patterns of root growth will be determined 

throughout the 2-year period using mini-rhizotrons. Plant growth, 

yield, and fruit quality responses to the N fertigation rates, along with 

the identification of seasonal root growth patterns will result in N 

fertigation rate and timing recommendations for blueberry that 

optimize plant health and productivity and minimize leaching and 

ground water contamination.

$157,227.00
95

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Advancing Integrated Weed 

Management Strategies for 

Container-grown Specialty 

Crop Producers

Ornamentals are one of the most important specialty crops in Florida 

with an annual sales value of $2.8 billion for nursery crops alone in 

2015, greater than many other specialty crops combined. Weed 

management is a continuing challenge for producers with an annual 

cost estimated at $11,000 per acre. Unlike other cropping systems, 

nursery production is unique due to high diversity in crop species and 

because production practices (substrate composition, fertilizer type 

and/or placement, irrigation regime, etc.) can be dramatically different 

based upon grower preference and nursery infrastructure. This 

diversity creates challenges in developing sound weed management 

protocols as there can be no “one-size-fits-all” approach, which can 

often be developed for monoculture systems. The desired outcome of 

this project to increase growers’ profits by developing new, proven 

weed management protocols based upon production practices that 

will reduce the number of herbicide applications needed, reduce labor 

costs, and save growers millions of dollars across the state. To achieve 

project objectives, multiple container and greenhouse experiments will 

be conducted to determine how herbicide efficacy is affected by 

various production practices (irrigation, substrates, and fertilizer) and 

how these practices impact weed growth in general.

$71,500.00
96

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Development of Viable 

Methods for Producing a 

New Crop: Yacon in Florida

Florida growers and nurserymen are searching for new, economically 

important crops for diversifying their crop production. Many growers 

have expressed keen interest in growing and producing yacon 

(Smallanthus sonchifolius) in Florida. Yacon produces underground 

tubers that can be consumed raw, like fruit, and can also be processed 

into other products. Most importantly, yacon tubers accumulate 

carbohydrates in the form of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), varying 

from 6.4 to 65% of dry weight depending on the variety. The tubers 

are also rich in polyphenols and chlorogenic acid. The high content of 

FOS is beneficial to individual health as it can reduce glycemic index, 

excess body weight, and the risk of colon cancer. With such a high 

nutraceutical and pharmaceutical value, yacon has garnered increased 

public interest and has great potential to become an important 

specialty crop for Florida growers. However, information regarding the 

characteristics of varieties, propagation and production techniques, 

disease and pest problems, and methods for storage and processing is 

largely unavailable to Floridians. This project is designed to address 

these issues at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in 

Apopka. Varieties that are particularly suitable for field and/or 

greenhouse production in Florida will be identified; viable methods for 

propagation, production, storage, and processing of yacon; and 

strategies for disease and pest management will be developed and 

disseminated

$115,007.00
97

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Silkfly resistance in 

sweetcorn

The goal of this project is to identify genes or defense compounds that 

can increase the resistance of sweetcorn to silk flies. This will be 

accomplished using the following two complementary approaches: 

1) Genome wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci 

(QTL) mapping analyses will be performed on corn mapping 

populations in Belle Glade, FL, a site with heavy natural silk fly 

infestation. The lines will be scored for silk fly damage and used to 

identify important resistance genes that can be used for marker 

assisted breeding.

2) Sweetcorn inbred lines with enhanced resistance to silk flies will be 

analyzed for their defense chemistry to identify compounds that 

contribute to silk fly resistance. Metabolic profiling will then be used to 

assist in the selection of sweetcorn varieties with elevated levels of 

these compounds.

The product of this research will be the identification of genes and 

compounds that can be used to assist in the development or transfer 

of increased silk fly resistance into market ready sweetcorn varieties.

$149,241.00

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97

Modeling tools for design of 

science-based Listeria 

environmental monitoring 

programs and corrective 

action strategies

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with Cornell University to 

develop modeling tools for Listeria environmental monitoring 

programs and corrective action strategies. As it is not practical to test 

different corrective actions and sampling strategies in each facility, the 

objective of this project is to use computer modeling to identify the 

optimal approaches for a particular setting. Specifically, the research 

team will adapt a previously developed model to fresh produce 

processing facilities and validate the model with sampling data 

collected through an on-going project. Simulations with validated 

models will characterize various corrective action and monitoring 

schemes for their ability to detect and control Listeria in the unique 

settings of different facilities. These models will have a direct impact 

on participating facilities, by providing customized tools for evaluating 

risk and making decisions, while the simulation results are expected to 

provide the broader produce industry with data and solutions to justify 

their Listeria control programs. At the end of the project the team will 

offer a day-long workshop for up to 30 food safety managers and other 

interested individuals (e.g., risk assessors and government officials).

$203,988.00
98

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Florida 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$4,336,299.97 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$60,630.97

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Nambeesan): Using 

Plant Growth Regulators to 

Optimize Fruit Ripening and 

Postharvest ShelfUGA will develop methods using plant growth regulators to accelerate 

and/or synchronize ripening and maintain fruit quality characteristics 

after harvest in blueberries by generating new knowledge of ripening 

and postharvest processes. This information and tools will be 

presented to stakeholders at grower meetings and can be used by 

growers to improve the sustainability and profitability of blueberry 

production in Georgia (GA).

$70,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Srinivasan): 

Management of WhiteflyTransmitted Viruses in 

Cucurbits in Georgia

UGA will genotype whitefly populations and examine insecticide 

resistance, for long-term sustainability. In 2016 and 2017, hundreds of 

cucurbit fields (> 5,000 acres) were affected by two whiteflytransmitted viruses, namely Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and 

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV). No commercial 

squash, pumpkin, cucumber, or cantaloupe variety is resistant to 

CuLCrV and CYSDV. UGA will develop a management package with 

multiple synergistic tactics providing incremental benefits. We intend 

to screen germplasm accessions for virus resistance and/or tolerance, 

and evaluate cultural (greenhouse-protected seedlings versus direct 

seeding, planting date, and fertilizers) and chemical tactics In addition, 

identify the host range of CuLCrV and CYSDV and examine its impact in 

virus epidemics.

$100,000.00
99

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Kong): Predictive 

Modeling of Pecan Quality 

during Commercial Storage 

and Distribution

UGA will study pecan quality changes during storage and develop 

predictive modeling that can be used to estimate shelf life of pecans at 

different storage and packaging conditions. This information will allow 

pecan growers and processor to select best storage conditions and 

packaging methods for improved quality and extended shelf life of 

pecan products. Information developed from this project will be 

disseminated via publications in “The Georgia Pecan Grower” 

magazine, the website of Georgia Pecan Growers Association (GPGA), 

and presentations in GPGA fall field days and spring conferences, 

grower workshops, and Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) annual 

meetings. The results from this project will contribute to a more 

consistent and sustainable supply of pecan and ensure that US pecan

industry remains competitive in the international marketplace.

$100,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Mihm): Lost and 

Found: Resurrecting 

“Extinct” Apple Cultivars

UGA will conduct historical research and fieldwork in selected counties 

of the Piedmont region in order to resurrect a number of long-lost 

apple cultivars once grown throughout Georgia and much of the Deep 

South. These apples represent a unique cultural and genetic resource, 

as many had unusual resistance to diseases and pests, especially those 

associated with the warmer climate of the South. In addition, many of 

these apples also had unusual flavor profiles that, while promising for 

fresh eating, may have equal if not greater value for the nation’s fastgrowing cider industry. Upon the identification of each missing 

cultivar, this project will take scion cuttings to begin the process of 

reviving these cultivars for the purposes of further study and 

eventually, commercial propagation in Georgia. In the long term, this 

project aims to create a pool of low-chill apple cultivars that could be 

planted elsewhere in the nation – and abroad.

$25,802.00
100

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Chavez): Irrigation 

Scheduling for Peach 

Production in Georgia

UGA will provide the Georgia peach industry with information for 

management practices, specifically the effect of irrigation scheduling 

practices on the overall production efficiency of peach. The overall 

objective of this research is to identify the optimal management 

strategies for irrigation to produce an equilibrium between vegetative 

and reproductive plant development that maximizes production in the 

early years of an orchard, and increases yields and tree health 

throughout the orchard life A project deliverable is the development of 

a smartphone-based application for irrigation scheduling in peaches 

hereafter referred to as the SmartIrrigation Peach App. The success of 

this project will be measured by the completion of the SmartIrrigation 

Peach App and the amount of water savings, fruit yield, plant health, 

and overall grower adoption of the guidelines and tools developed 

from this research.

$73,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Dutta): Sustainable 

IPM Strategies to Enhance 

the Competitiveness of 

Vidalia Onions

UGA will develop a scientifically-based sustainable IPM measures 

against center rot (a bacterial disease caused by Pantoea ananatis) of 

onion in Georgia. The outcome of the project will include an effective 

weed management tactic that would reduce P. ananatis inoculum in 

the onion-growing fields, and subsequently reduce center rot 

incidence in the field as well as in storage. The outcome will also 

include a thoroughly evaluated combined bactericide and insecticide 

program that will effectively suppress thrips (insect vector for P. 

ananatis), and bacterial populations on onion foliage reducing center 

rot incidence. This project will enhance the competitiveness of 

specialty crops in Georgia by reducing losses due to center rot both in 

field and storage and thereby increasing the profitability of the crop.

$90,000.00
101

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Hajihassani): 

Pyramiding Cover Crops and 

Deep-Turning of Soil for 

Management of Soil-Borne

This project, which is a partnership between faculty at University of 

Georgia and vegetable growers, aims to identify pre-plant fumigation 

alternatives that can be used for effective and sustainable 

management of soil borne pests. Plant-parasitic nematodes, fungal 

diseases, and weeds are key pests of vegetable crops in southern 

Georgia. The abundance of nematodes and nutsedge will be 

monitored prior to, during, and after the seeding, growth, termination, 

and incorporation of cover crops, and in plots where no cover crops 

but vegetables (tomato and cabbage) will be planted. We will also 

determine the effect of cover cropping on soil chemical properties. 

This project will benefit the economic and environment through 

reduced use of chemical fumigants, and from improved rotations on 

vegetable farms. An outreach program will be established to target 

vegetable growers and agricultural professionals.

$60,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Hickey): Evaluation 

of Bud Break Delay through 

Advanced Pruning 

Techniques

UGA seeks to ensure sustainable production of Georgia-grown grapes 

and wines. One central objective to this goal is to implement refined 

and advanced pruning practices to avoid the pervasive perennial 

threat of bud kill due to frost across Georgia vineyards. Delayed 

pruning will be evaluated for its effect on bud break delay, frost injury, 

and crop yield in regionally-popular wine grape cultivars. Outcomes 

will result in improved understanding of the timing and extent with 

which delayed pruning should be implemented to effectively avoid 

frost risk and maintain economical grape crops. The proposed 

workplan will have ultimate economic impact through vineyard health 

and sustainability and consumer recognition and acceptance of 

regionally-produced Georgia wines.

$50,000.00
102

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Jagdale): Evaluation 

of New Biological 

Nematicides Against PlantParasitic Nematodes of Cuc

UGA will be involved in evaluating management options for plant 

parasitic nematodes (PPNs) in cucumbers by developing an 

environment friendly, biological control strategy to reduce nematode 

population densities below their economic threshold level. Cucumber 

growers often need to implement a series of costly corrective 

nematode management strategies, which often result in unsatisfactory 

control Environmental stewardship, overreliance on chemical control, 

and increasing concern on pesticide resistance has provided impetus 

for especially organic cucumber growers to examine alternative and 

long-term methods that are effective in management of PPNs and 

being environment friendly.

$20,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Jespersen): 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 

to Improve Sustainable 

Weed Control in 

Bermudagrass

The University of Georgia will improve weed management on Georgia 

sod farms by developing unmanned aerial systems for detection of 

contaminating weed species. Early detection will ultimately allow for 

the more efficient management of weed species, reducing inputs 

applied by growers. The project will identify features associated with 

weed species using multiple sensors, as well as optimize flight 

parameters for large scale data collection. These two aspects will then 

be integrated into a model system which will be used for on-farm trials 

for the detection of spurge, goosegrass, yellow nutsedge, and 

crabgrass. Finally, results from on-farm trials will be disseminated to 

end users providing information for detecting and mapping weeds 

using unmanned aerial systems.

$100,591.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$105,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Agricultural 

Commodity Commission for 

Georgia Grown (GACC-GG): 

Be Local, Bee Safe 

Promotion

The Georgia Grown Be Local, Bee Safe promotion will increase the sale 

and marketability of local decorative plants in Georgia through the 

promotion and education of ornamental plants as safe habitats for 

pollinators. The program will also increase the sales of Georgia Grown 

honey products.

$50,000.00
103

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61 GACC-Georgia Grown 

Produce University

The Georgia Grown Produce University program is a coordinated effort 

to provide training and equipment to school cafeterias, so they can 

source, prepare, and offer more fresh-local produce. This program 

seeks to supply numerous school cafeterias that do not have the 

simple processing equipment and training necessary to prepare and 

present fresh-local produce. By providing the training and equipment 

in a focused verifiable effort, the Georgia Department hopes to create 

a replicable model to increase the provision of fresh-local produce in 

schools.

$65,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Food Bank 

Association Inc.: Increasing 

consumption of 

Unmarketable Produce 

Through School Pantry 

Education Programs

The Georgia Food Bank Association food banks will increase the 

consumption of Specialty Crops by food-insecure children through 

school-based food pantries that combine nutrition education and/or 

healthy cooking recipes with access to unmarketable (#2 grade) 

nutritious produce donated by Georgia farmers. This education project 

enhances the competitiveness of Specialty Crops through increased 

access and understanding of these crops. It promotes the generosity of 

Georgia’s farmers who will donate crops distributed throughout the 

school-based pantries.

$50,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Fruit and Vegetable 

Growers Association 

(GFVGA): Increasing 

Specialty Crop Producers’ 

Profitability through 

Education

This project addresses the need to increase profitability of specialty 

crops by meeting the educational needs of large and small growers.

The production, management and marketing of specialty crops in 

Georgia is ever changing with new technologies, new practices, new 

regulations and new management opportunities. The Georgia Fruit 

and Vegetable Growers Association will plan and coordinate a four-day 

educational conference and trade show to provide the latest and most 

current research based educational information on pest management 

techniques, production practices, regulatory issues, sustainability 

needs, food safety guidelines.

$70,000.00
104

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Fruit and Vegetable 

Growers Association 

(GFVGA): Cost Sharing Food 

Safety

Program Development and 

Certification in Georgia 

(FSMA)

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will 

provide 

1) on farm food safety education, 2) develop full or partial food safety 

programs, 3) educate farm and packing facilities on Food Safety 

Modernization Act (FSMA) rule(s) that may apply, as well as 4) provide 

cost share for a market driven audit fee and the staff time to conduct 

the education and program development. This comprehensive 

approach to on farm food safety is intended to increase the 

competitiveness of Georgia’s specialty crop industry by enhancing the 

marketability of produce

through food safety programs and audits as well as assist in FSMA 

readiness.

$40,778.91

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Fruit and Vegetable 

Growers Association 

(GFVGA): Marketing Georgia 

Grown Products to Increase 

Specialty Crop Producers 

Profitability (PMA)

This project broadens the reach of the Georgia Grown brand and 

Georgia’s specialty crop producers. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable 

Growers Association is working with Georgia growers, commodity 

organizations, and agribusiness companies to feature the state’s 

produce industry in a GEORGIA GROWN pavilion at the 2018 PMA 

Fresh Summit in Orlando, FL This event offers Georgia growers and 

suppliers a great opportunity to have face time with potential 

customers. GFVGA will work with the GA Department of Agriculture 

and other commodity organizations to coordinate the development, 

production, installation and operation of the 7,000 square foot plus 

promotional display.

$75,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Pecan Growers 

Association (GPGA): Georgia 

Pecans for Georgia’s 

Children: Creating an 

interactive learning 

experience

GPGA will develop and launch an interactive learning experience and 

exhibit for school-aged children at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture 

and Historic Village that targets improving access to Georgia pecans, 

provides nutritional and pecan usage information, and presents the 

historical and economic influences of pecans in the state. The purpose 

of this project would be to promote Georgia pecans to children and 

their parents/guardians - particularly rural students - who have limited 

exposure to the tree nut and to fresh, unprocessed food.

$35,000.00
105

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

Georgia Tech Research 

Institute (GTRI, Dr. Aidun): 

New Technology for CostEffective Automated Large 

Scale In-Vitro Plant 

Propagation

The Georgia Institute of Technology, will design, build and optimize a 

novel automated temporary immersion bioreactor system (GT-TIS) for 

production of micropropagated true-to-type plants. Such system will 

serve as a prototype to test and optimize in vitro micropropagation of 

specialty crops using blueberry and Stevia as demonstration plants. In 

vitro produced plants offer new opportunities to produce unlimited 

number of disease-free plants of superior cultivars. Access to better 

planting material will help Georgia growers to faster access of 

sufficient numbers of plants of new cultivars and cultivars that are 

hard to root. The bioreactor system requires new innovation and is 

expected to become the foundation for a new platform technology for 

plant production.

$100,000.00

Georgia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,337,078.61

The University of Georgia 

Research Foundation (UGARF, Dr. Campbell): Managing 

Boxwood Blight Through 

Cultivar Screening and 

Cultural Practices

Researchers in the College of Agricultural and Environmental 

Resources at the University of Georgia will evaluate boxwood cultivars 

for their susceptibility to boxwood blight. In addition, they will also 

provide a list of species that will provide similar growth characteristics 

to boxwood that can be planted as alternatives. They will further the 

understanding of boxwood blight disease prevention and spread by 

investigating sanitation practices and physical disease movement in a 

landscape.

$54,860.00

Guam Department 

of Agriculture $242,726.03

Improvement of seed 

distribution system of 

heirloom eggplants and chili 

peppers for sustainable 

agriculture of Guam

The University of Guam (UOG) in collaboration with the Division of 

Agriculture Development Service (ADS), Guam Department of 

Agriculture will improve the distribution system for selected heirloom 

eggplant (Solanum melongena) and chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) 

selections to the community. The expected outcomes of the project 

will be (a) an increase in the number of heirloom eggplant and chili 

pepper selections in the collection at UOG and ADS; (b) an increase in 

knowledge of plant characteristics of heirloom eggplant and chili 

peppers in Guam; (c) an increase in the number of available seeds and 

seedlings of heirloom eggplants and chili peppers at the ADS nursery; 

(d) an increase in the number of farms who produce heirloom 

eggplants and chili peppers in Guam; and (e) an increase in awareness 

of the importance of local germline conservation of eggplants and chili 

pepper in Guam.

$262,138.57
106

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$22,359.49

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Creating Market 

Opportunities for Locally 

Adapted Seed to Improve 

Specialty Crop Performance 

in Hawaii

The Kohala Center (TKC) will collaborate with the Hawaii Seed Growers 

Network (HSGN), University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, 

Hawaii Island Seed Bank, GoFarm Hawaii, and independent producers 

statewide to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through 

production and sale of locally adapted seed varieties. The project will 

market HSGN’s existing online marketplace for seed sales, recruit and 

mentor three new seed growers, produce an additional 15 new seeds 

varieties, and complete a cooperative business development process 

to ensure long-term sustainability of this unique market opportunity 

for Hawaii producers.

$59,386.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57 Mamaki Tea Enterprise

Young Women’s Christian Association of Oahu will develop Māmaki 

Tea Enterprise to grow, package and distribute the specialty crop, 

pipturus albidus (māmaki). The Enterprise will be an educational and 

training resource for women recently released from prison who are 

part of the YWCA re-entry/work furlough program. It will also be an 

educational resource for local farmers to develop their business and 

agricultural skills, with an emphasis on specialty crop production. Once 

Māmaki Tea Enterprise is operational, it will be integrated into a 

special agricultural Launch My Business (LMB) training program, 

providing local farmers the opportunity to observe all facets of the 

business.

$40,000.00
107

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Low Cost Tissue Culture and 

Grow-out of 

Micropropagated 

Anthuriums

Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) will develop low cost 

methods to optimize and develop the innovated propagation systems 

using tissue culture and bioreactor methods and grow-out and 

acclimatize micropropagated anthuriums to improve survival and 

increase growth rate of plants to improve the product delivered to 

growers. If successful, this project will solely enhance the 

competitiveness of the anthurium industry with the following outputs 

1) A micropropagation method for anthurium that will include 

information on cultivar proliferation rate to enable anthurium growers 

to calculate quantity and grow-out time, 2) a reliable source of 

certified clean (triple-indexed) micropropagated anthuriums of new 

and established cultivars for large scale production will be provided, 3) 

an innovative bioreactor micropropagation method, 4) a grow-out 

method that tissue culture businesses can adopt to provide growers 

with inexpensive and sturdy plants with high survival percentages and 

shorter time to first flowering, and 5) workshops designed to train 

tissue culture, nursery, and anthurium businesses to set up low cost 

tissue culture systems with grow-out capabilities.

$37,101.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Expanding the Market for 

Hawaiian Turmeric with 

High Yielding and High 

Curcumin Varieties

The University of Hawaii will, in collaboration with local growers and 

agencies, complete a series of activities that will result in: 1) improved 

yield and quality of Hawaii-grown turmeric, 2) increased demand of 

Hawaii-grown turmeric in local and out of state markets, and 3) 

greater profitability for Hawaii turmeric growers. This project will 

determine the curcumin content of a wide range of turmeric varieties, 

characterize the relationship between rhizome color and curcumin 

content, and identify optimum organic and conventional fertilizer 

recommendations, particularly for nitrogen. Most importantly, this 

project will make available to growers’ elite turmeric varieties and 

disseminate recommendations to optimize yield and curcumin 

content.

$40,000.00
108

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

2019 Hawaii Potted Tropical 

Plants National Marketing 

and Educational Campaign

The Hawaii Export Nursery Association (HENA) will continue to 

establish the Hawaii Potted Tropical Plant Brand as a superior plant 

product through national marketing campaign activities. HENA’s 

marketing campaign will strengthen the viability of the Hawaii potted 

tropical plant industry, increase access to and sales of Hawaiian 

product by: 1) hosting the 2019 Midpacific Horticultural Conference & 

Expo (MIDPAC) on the Big Island of Hawaii in July 2019; and 2) 

marketing Hawaii potted tropical foliage products to national industry 

platforms by maintaining a website and direct mailing material to 

educate the marketplace about Hawaiian product.

$30,000.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Increasing Macadamia Nut 

Yields in Hawaii with 

Integrated Pest 

Management

The Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association will partner with University of 

Hawaii and Hāmākua Agricultural Cooperative to increase macadamia 

nut production by providing integrated pest management tools and 

training to small-scale growers on Hawaii farms. The project will 

compile science-based training materials and coordinate four training 

sessions around Hawaii Island, the center of macadamia nut 

production in the state. This project is a necessary step towards 

equipping farmers with the tools they need to address present and 

future challenges. In order to keep up with Australia and other 

countries with improving technology, methods, and production, 

macadamia nut farmers in Hawaii need financial and educational 

support to promote adoption of long-term strategies for sustainable 

growth.

$33,538.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Farm Food Safety Training 

for Local and Immigrant 

Crop Producers

The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) is member to a larger 

community of more than 100 land grant institutions and includes the 

Cooperative Extension Service (CES). The Cooperative Extension 

Service is the outreach component of UH Manoa’s College of Tropical 

Agriculture and Human Resources. UHM-CES is committed to 

partnering with Hawaii growers, produce farm and food industry 

associations, food safety professional organizations, and other 

government agencies to provide access to farm food safety training in 

Hawaii. This project will conduct PSA Grower Trainings for Hawaii 

produce growers whom English may not be their primary language as a 

means to increase grower compliance with the FSMA-PRS. The greater 

number of produce growers in compliance with FSMA-PSR the greater 

the potential to keep Hawaii’s fresh produce in the market.

$20,000.00
109

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

HFNA's Educational Program 

to Increase Awareness & 

Access of Hawaiian 

Floriculture to the Wedding 

Industry

The Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association will host the Hawaii 

Wedding Floral Design Workshops that will be held on each of the four 

main Hawaiian Islands during the summer months of 2019 when floral 

products are most abundant. These workshops will showcase floral 

varieties distinctive to each island and will be led by professional floral 

designers who will give demonstrations on how to create beautiful 

wedding flowers, bridal and attendant bouquets, table arrangements 

or floral décor for ceremony and reception venues. Hawaii growers will 

be invited to have displays of their floral and nursery products during 

the workshops, so the attendees can see for themselves the beauty, 

freshness, and quality of Hawaii floriculture. The growers will be able 

to talk one-on-one with the visitors about their products and the 

benefits of using Hawaiian flowers and plants in their wedding décor. 

The floral design workshops dedicated to weddings will enhance the 

competitiveness of Hawaii floriculture products by increasing 

awareness of our products to the wedding industry as well as how to 

access Hawaii-grown flowers and plants.

$40,000.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Planting Techniques for 

Increasing Locally Produced 

Corm and Bulb Species in 

the Pacific

The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human 

Resources Cooperative Extension Services (CTAHR) will evaluate and 

demonstrate through applied field evaluations, workshops and field 

days, alternative planting material to increase the availability and 

quality of locally produced garlic and saffron for the State of Hawaii. 

The project looks to identify strategies that will make these crops more 

productive and economically viable for Hawaii’s growers. The project 

will also work to develop new markets through collaboration with the 

Culinary Innovation Center at Kapiolani Community College. Access to 

tropically grown garlic and saffron varieties could increase production 

of these two spices as well as open new markets for sale with local 

market outlets.

$40,000.00
110

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Selecting Pigeon Pea and 

Green Bean Varieties for 

Market Preference and 

Value-added Products

The University of Hawaii will conduct field trials to select varieties of 

green beans and pigeon pea for market preference, protein content 

and quality, suitability for Hawaii’s growing conditions, food 

preparation, value-added products, and nitrogen fixation capability. 

Expected outcomes of the project include: 1) Improving decision 

making by growers about introducing new crops/varieties and 

developing value-added products; 2) Establishing a minimum of five 

new growers and areas planted with snap bean and pigeon pea 

ranging from 10 to 30 acres statewide by the end of first year of the 

project; 3) Increasing Hawaii’s food and nutritional-security and selfsufficiency with increased production and awareness of specialty crops 

high with protein, fiber, and nutrient content; 4) Improving the 

economy with “Locally Grown” and “Locally Made” value-added 

products labeling from these beans; and 5) Enhancing the capacity of 

cooperative extension agents and other agricultural professionals to 

assist stakeholders with growing, processing, and marketing specialty 

crops.

$40,000.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Understanding Traditional 

Hawaiian Agricultural 

Knowledge to Improve Taro 

Production and Resilience in 

Crop Systems

Native Hawaiians used a sophisticated lunar/celestial calendar, in 

conjunction with other traditional practices, to sustainably produce an 

abundance of food that surpassed in both quantity and quality the 

staple starch foods currently grown, without outside inputs. Today, 

farmers who grow taro, a culturally significant and specialty crop for 

Hawaii, are more than two generations removed from this practice 

and its influence on crop yields. As production costs climb, growers are 

seeking more sustainable options to improve yields and reduce 

expensive inputs. This project seeks to better understand traditional 

Hawaiian lunar/celestial agricultural knowledge to improve taro crop 

production and resilience in crop systems and in taro farmers’ 

economic competitiveness.

$39,382.00
111

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Landscape Industry Council 

of Hawaii Foundation "Buy 

Native Plants, It Matters" 

Poster Campaign

The Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii Foundation (LICHF) is a 

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 2006 to carry out the 

educational, public service, research, initiatives, training, partnering 

and public awareness functions formerly performed by the Landscape 

Industry Council of Hawaii, https://www.hawaiiscape.com/, which was 

founded in 1986. LICHF will increase the percentage of native plants in 

the built environment by increasing the demand of native plants 

through educational posters that will be relevant for many years 

because they will address selection and maintenance of native 

Hibiscus and native Ohia.

$30,000.00

Hawaii 

Department of 

Agriculture

$501,925.57

Hawaiian Specialty Cacao 

Fine Flavor Cultivar 

Development Project

The project will be carried out by the Hawaii Agriculture Research 

Center (HARC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with suitable land 

area available for the proposed trials and experience in administrative 

and collaborative protocols. This proposed project will optimize the 

fermentation method for each selected fine flavored cultivar, continue 

to screen additional fine flavor candidates and start propagation of a 

Heritage cacao budwood garden to increase the availability of fine 

flavor cultivars thus addressing a critical need of the Hawaiian cacao 

and chocolate industry to identify, produce and distribute select fine 

flavor cacao cultivars.

$29,651.36

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$234,326.15
112

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Expanding Exports, Building 

Awareness, and Increasing 

Sales of Idaho-E. Oregon 

Onions in International 

Markets

The proposal outlines a project that will be conducted by the IdahoEastern Oregon Onion Export Committee (IEOOC). With the amount of 

onions grown in the Treasure Valley building and enhancing 

international markets is vital for continued success of the industry. 

Export opportunities give the industry additional opportunities as they 

prepare to market the onion crop. 

Mexico is the second largest export market for onions. Idaho and 

Eastern Oregon’s crop is 90% yellow onions and it is important to stay 

in front of the Mexico retailers, foodservice professionals, importers, 

and consumers and let them know of the versatility, and the benefits 

of yellow onions, which prove that yellow onions work as well as white 

onions. The Yellow Onion Promotion in Mexico will focus on 

increasing awareness of IEOOC onions among key trade members in 

Mexico. The promotion will provide early information to these market 

segments making them aware of the availability of Idaho-E. Oregon 

Onions. The promotion will also provide enhanced Social Media, and 

web site communication with the Mexican consumer to continue to 

build awareness and encourage use of yellow onions.

$72,200.00

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Creation of a Statewide 

Wine-grape Vineyard 

Weather and Soil 

Monitoring Network and 

Digital Atlas

In this proposed project, Boise State University will expand a 10-

station vineyard weather and soil monitoring network to create a 

network of 25 weather and soil monitoring stations covering all the 

wine regions in the state. The resulting data collected will be stored 

and made publicly available in user friendly formats through a Boise 

State University website in the form of a digital vineyard weather and 

soils atlas.

$96,809.50
113

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Improving perception of 

wine produced in the Gem 

State

In an effort to enhance Idaho wine as a desirable commodity and to 

aid sales, the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission 

will conduct an integrated marketing communications campaign 

targeted at local consumers along with national wine media. Elements 

identified as beneficial to continuing to assist the industry’s growth 

include visual and interactive components of digital content through 

the IWC website and events, media and key purchaser relationships via 

press visits and tours and visual promotions and enhanced marketing 

automation. Through these targeted efforts, the IWC hopes to increase 

exposure of high quality Idaho grapes and wine and expand sales and 

production within the region.

$246,726.77

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Improving Fruit Yield 

Estimates Using Artificial 

Intelligence Techniques

The Robotic Vision Researchers of Northwest Nazarene University 

(NNU) will develop a Deep Learning Algorithm to correctly identify and 

localize fruits on the tree between the blossom period and fruit 

maturity. The current practice for estimating fruit yield early in the 

season is to manually count fruits on select number of trees and then 

use the average number of fruits. This method is very time consuming, 

labor intensive, and limited sample size. Machine vision can be used to 

recognize fruits on the tree, however traditional image processing 

techniques have difficulty in recognizing immature fruit as their color 

tends to match the tree canopy. In recent years, artificial intelligence,

specifically Deep Learning, has made considerable progress in the area 

of image recognition with some applications nearly matching human 

performance. This research proposal will improve the fruit yield 

estimate by enabling faster counting over a wider range of trees in an 

orchard and will provide the fruit grower with a reliable fruit yield 

estimate.

$65,368.80
114

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Increasing Sales, Demand, 

and Building Awareness of 

Idaho Apples Through Retail 

Promotions and Local Media

The proposal “Increasing Sales, Demand, and Building Awareness of 

Idaho Apples through Retail Promotions and Local Media,” outlines a 

project that will be conducted by the Idaho Apple Commission. The 

two-year project goal will be to work with local retailers to build 

demand for Idaho Apples, and build strong relationships with those 

retailers. The project will include an extensive marketing program 

necessary to help the Idaho retailers increase sales of Idaho Apples, 

and build the Idaho Apple industry’s identity within the retailer’s 

distribution chains. The Commission will set up a marketing program 

that will promote apples during the harvest period, usually September 

through January. The Idaho Apple Commission will utilize billboard 

signs, in-store advertising, radio advertising, print advertising, Social 

Media channels, and an Idaho Apple Industry Packaging (bag). The 

outcomes of this program would be increased sales, stronger demand 

for Idaho Apples, and a healthy positive working relationship with 

Idaho retailers. We will also use Social Media platforms which will help 

build consumer awareness.

$53,528.00

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Using Field Asymmetric ion 

mobile spectrometry for the 

detection of onion bulb rot 

in storage

The overall goal of this proposal is to evaluate the applicability of field 

asymmetric ion mobile spectrometry (FAIMS) for the detection of 

onion bulb rot in storage. Numerous pathogens cause onion bulb rot 

in storage, significantly reducing produce quality during bulk storage. 

Presently, managers’ lack state-of-the-art sensing-based tools to 

detect and manage diseases at earlier stages. We propose to evaluate 

non-contact sensing technologies for onion bulb rot detection in early 

stages to prevent disease progression in storage and financial losses 

for the stakeholder. The specific objectives are to 1) investigate FAIMS 

as a volatile biomarker-based sensing technique for the detection of 

onion bulb rot caused by major fungal and bacterial bulb rot 

pathogens, 2) investigate the applicability of FAIMS sensing in early 

onion bulb rot detection, and 3) evaluate FAIMS for the ability to 

monitor onion storage facilities. Incorporation and application of this 

information by onion stakeholders will result in an increased efficiency 

of storage inputs resulting in an increased economic return for onion 

stakeholders.

$122,170.00
115

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Advancing Research and 

Resources for the Idaho 

Grape and Wine Industry

The Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission (IWC) is 

committed to helping wine grape growers and winemakers in the state 

of Idaho produce the best quality wine in the region. The IWC is facing 

two critical issues in the coming year as it relates to industry 

education. The first is the need for new data to assist in industry 

benchmarking. Economic impact studies provide invaluable 

information about the state of the wine industry that serves the IWC in 

its work to inform industry members as they look to stay informed 

about their business. The second issue the IWC would like to help 

members address is wine quality. Previous assessments have identified 

some flaws in winemaking practices and vineyard management. The 

IWC would like to assist members by providing opportunities and 

resources to learn from regional and national experts.

$52,132.00

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Domestication, Propagation, 

and commercialization of 

new-generation native plant 

products for the Idaho 

Nursery Industry

This project will provide two economically impactful outputs: 1) native 

plant products for the Idaho landscape nursery industry with water 

conserving attributes, and 2) plant propagation protocols for new 

native plant products to enhance success related to marketing and 

delivery. Acquisition procedures will include project-driven collections, 

purchases from native plant organizations, and purchases from seed 

suppliers and professional collectors. Evaluations will be completed on 

both new and established accessions collected over the past 11 years. 

Propagation research will consist of evaluating a range of germination 

and seedling production techniques to determine which protocols can 

be used to successfully propagate superior accessions that express 

nursery handling limitations. Experimentation to determine viable 

techniques will include the testing of efficacy of stratification, 

scarification, treating with growth hormones, treating with smoke 

water, and other techniques shown to have an impact on germination. 

Evaluation of protocols to minimize seedling losses due to damping off 

will also be conducted.

$86,821.00
116

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Liquid Microbial 

Amendments: An 

ecofriendly method for 

improving growth of 

container greenhouse and 

nursery crops

Commercially available bacterial amendments claim to improve plant 

growth by stimulating root growth, improving soil biodiversity, 

nutrient uptake and enhanced mineralization; this project will evaluate 

the impact of four commercial microbial amendments on the growth 

and health of container greenhouse and nursery plants (bedding plants 

and shrubs) as well as characterize changes (nutrient content and 

microbial populations) in the growth substrate following application. 

Projected outcomes are 1) enhanced understanding of the usefulness 

of bacterial amendments for the Idaho container produced plants, and 

2) publication of findings in a peer reviewed journal accessible to other 

specialty crop producers.

$70,658.38

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Controlling Nematodes in 

Potato Production by 

Identifying and Purifying 

Nematicidal Toxins 

Produced by Solanum 

Sisymbriifolium

Potato production in the U.S. and viability of international markets for 

U.S. potatoes are threatened by the presence and potential geographic 

spread of invasive nematodes, such as Globodera pallida, because 

effective nematicides have become expensive and restricted in their 

availability. Toxic compounds produced by plants have the potential to 

be used as nematicides to control nematode species deleterious to 

potato. Solanum sisymbriifolium reduces reproduction of G. pallida by 

95-100%, is effective against root knot and lesions nematodes, and 

contains saponins and glycoalkaloids with invertebrate toxicity, but 

their identity and potential nematicidal activity are unknown. The 

Idaho Potato Commission through the University of Idaho will isolate 

the toxin to develop a natural nematicide for use in potato production.

$123,648.00
117

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Developing and Deploying 

Advanced Detection 

Methods for Bacterial Ring 

Rot of Potatoes

The Idaho Potato Commission through the University of Idaho will 

develop new diagnostic methods for bacterial ring rot in potatoes and 

use them to study the epidemiology of the pathogen in Idaho and 

develop a proficiency testing scheme for diagnostic labs. Bacterial ring 

rot is caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (CMS) 

and is the most devastating bacterial disease of potatoes. It can cause 

direct yield losses of over 50%. However, its presence in seed tubers 

can lead to a complete rejection of the seed lot as all North American 

certification authorities have a zero tolerance for the bacterium. It is 

also considered an invasive species in Idaho and its presence must be 

reported. Present testing methods are expensive, unreliable and 

outdated. This project will develop a gold standard test and laboratory 

proficiency testing scheme for the detection of CMS in potato tubers 

which has potential for national or even international use.

$141,253.40

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Marketing Idaho Specialty 

Crops through Idaho 

Preferred Advertising, Social 

Media, Public Relations and 

Retail Promotions

Idaho Preferred®, a program within the Market Development Division 

of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, will continue its 

successful promotion of specialty crops through digital advertising, 

social media, public relations and retail promotions. The digital 

advertising campaign will air in conjunction with an on-the-road retail 

tour that will include stops at retailers across the state to promote 

seasonal specialty crops with radio remotes, on-site demos, sampling 

and events. Social media will help promote the tour and events as well 

as increase consumer awareness of seasonal specialty crops. A second 

roadshow will occur in Spring 2019 promoting locally-grown nursery 

plants and will be supported by digital and radio advertising.

$188,000.00
118

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Reducing Current Season 

Spread of PVY, and 

Mitigating Tuber Quality 

Loss in Tuber-borne 

Infections

In order to control Potato virus Y (PVY) during seed potato production 

in the State of Idaho, University of Idaho proposes to investigate early 

flights of aphids carrying PVY into emerging seed potato and develop 

recommendations on timely use of mineral oil and insecticide 

treatments. To control PVY seed-borne infections, University of Idaho 

also proposes to determine the effect of infection on tuber yield and 

quality at harvest. Potato seed lots with high percentage of infected 

tubers will be identified and planted at experimental fields for 

monitoring through the season and subsequent harvesting of tubers, 

to address the yield and quality issues. Tubers from infected and noninfected plants will be separately collected and analyzed for specific 

gravity, and fry color and quality. The proposed project will lead to a 

comprehensive strategy to control PVY in seed, process and fresh 

potato production.

$113,914.00

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Performance, Adaptability, 

Yield and Quality of 

Almonds and Walnuts, as 

New Fruit Crops in Idaho

The University of Idaho Pomology Program will study performance, 

adaptability, bloom and harvest dates, leaf mineral nutrients, yield, 

and quality attributes of almonds and walnuts, to establish these fruits 

as new commercial fruit crops for Idaho. This program will also 

disseminate the results to stakeholders through presentation of 

several educational tours, classes, and field days and will educate the 

public about the benefits and methods of producing these cultivars of 

almonds and walnuts. It will also establish pilot plans of selected 

varieties with cooperators in Idaho.

$135,914.00

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Evaluating the web of Pea 

seed-borne mosaic virus 

pathotypes and host 

resistance alleles

PSbMV infected plants will be collected from pea growing regions in 

Idaho, North Dakota, and Washington and strains will be characterized 

under greenhouse conditions by inoculating plants carrying different 

resistance genes. Evaluating strains from across growing regions is 

important as PSbMV can move with seed. New strains/variants will be 

compared to previously characterized strains. Virus strains producing 

unique symptoms on greenhouse plants will be further characterized 

via sequencing. Sequence data from all viral strains will be utilized to 

develop antibody- or molecular-based diagnostic assays. Cultivars and 

breeding germplasm will be inoculated under greenhouse conditions 

with all unique PSbMV strains. Finally, host genotypes with resistance 

to these viral strains will undergo sequencing to determine genomic 

regions controlling resistance to all viral strains.

$149,453.00
119

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Creating Awareness and 

Increasing Sales of Idaho 

Cherries through In-Store 

Promotions and Social 

Media

The proposal “Creating Awareness and Increasing Sales of Idaho 

Cherries through In-store Promotions and Social Media” outlines a 

project that will be conducted by the Idaho Cherry Commission. The 

two-year project goal will be to work with local retailers to build 

demand for Idaho Cherries, and to build strong relationships with 

those retailers. The project will include an extensive Social Media 

program and in-store tasting demos. Both mentioned activities are to 

help increase sales of Idaho Cherries, and build Idaho Cherry identity 

within the local retailers, and within the distribution chains.

$41,184.00

Idaho State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,070,141.39

Soil-borne diseases of 

beans: determining the 

primary causal agents and 

developing disease 

management practices

The Idaho Bean Commission through the University of Idaho seeks to 

identify the main soil-borne disease-causing agents in Idaho bean 

production, develop rapid diagnostic tools, develop best disease 

management practices and establish the framework for future 

resistance breeding efforts. This project will seek to identify the main 

disease-causing agents in beans in Idaho. It will develop rapid 

diagnostic tools, best management practices for disease control and 

establish the framework for future disease breeding efforts. This will 

be investigated using a combination of survey work using new 

diagnostic tools developed within this project, fungicide sensitivity 

testing and a range of field and glasshouse trials to investigate the 

effect of cultural, pathogen strain, effect of environment and the 

efficacy of chemical and cultural control methods.

$72,013.77

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Building an online resource 

portal to increase sales and 

consumer knowledge of 

Illinois Specialty Crops

The Land Connection (TLC) will address the continued need for greater 

knowledge about, and access to, Illinois specialty crops to increase the 

competitiveness and boost sales of specialty crops. First, we will 

develop 15 specialty crop nutrition, preparation, storage, and use 

cards to be distributed for free at the Champaign Farmers Market and 

on the TLC website. Second, we will develop and write a weekly blog 

series as a companion to the specialty crop cards, providing more indepth knowledge about each featured Illinois specialty crop. Finally, 

we will build and launch a specialty crop online resource portal to act 

as a centralized digital library of free information, research, and 

programming deliverables from The Land Connection and other 

organizations.

$32,465.36
120

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Grafting to Increase Yield, 

Fruit Quality, and 

Antioxidant Capacity of 

Heirloom Tomatoes in 

Hydroponic Culture

Western Illinois University will conduct research to determine the 

effect of grafting on yield, fruit and antioxidant capacity of heirloom 

tomatoes grown hydroponically. The Illinois market for hydroponic 

production is growing, as there is a large consumer demand for fresh 

and local tomatoes year-round. Similarly, heirloom tomatoes have 

gained popularity in recent years, due to a consumer demand for 

authentic food experiences, and the associated health benefits. The 

objectives are to determine 1) the effect of grafting on the yield and 

fruit quality of heirloom tomatoes grown hydroponically and 2) the 

effect of grafting on fruit chemistry (pH, brix, antioxidant capacity and 

content) in heirloom tomato varieties. Illinois growers will benefit by 

being able to make educated decisions regarding profitability from 

production of heirloom tomatoes. This research may lead to increased 

profitability via improving production through grafting and hydroponic 

culture, and the opportunity to market heirloom tomatoes for their 

health benefits.

$31,883.45

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Variety selection and 

Integrated Pest 

Management for Production 

of High-Value Crops in HighTunnels in Illinois

Western Illinois University will conduct research and deliver 

educational programs on variety selection and best management 

practices for tomato and pepper production in high tunnels for IL 

growers. High tunnels are steadily gaining popularity for enhanced 

crop production throughout Illinois. Most high tunnel growers focus on 

production of high value crops such as tomatoes and bell peppers to 

quickly recoup the cost of erecting a high-tunnel. Producers have many 

options in choosing varieties to grow, but uncertainty remains in which 

varieties perform best for high tunnel production in Illinois. Proper 

variety choice is critical to growers for financial success of their 

operation. Currently, data is lacking on what varieties of tomatoes and 

peppers maximize return on investment for IL high tunnel growers. 

This research will determine which tomato and bell pepper varieties 

are best suited for high tunnel production in Illinois.

$45,990.00
121

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Improving food safety and 

shelf-life of strawberries 

using a mobile UV cooling 

technology

The Southern Illinois University will help strawberry growers of Illinois 

to comply with the produce safety rules of the Food Safety 

Modernization Act by improving food safety, quality and shelf life of 

fresh strawberries by developing a sanitizing technology and safe 

handling practices employing a mobile UV cooler. The results will be 

disseminated to strawberry growers through in-campus workshops 

and field visits with hands-on trainings to growers. In addition, 

presentations will be made at the Specialty Crops and Gateway Small 

Fruits conferences. Fact sheets will be published on SIU and Illinois 

Extension websites and social media for safe use of mobile UV cooler 

by strawberry growers.

$107,197.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Demonstration of 

apprentice farmer program 

viability and working model 

of farm diversification 

through organic 

permaculture

The Liberty Prairie Foundation will pilot an apprenticeship farmer 

training approach to evolve an existing model for beginning farmer 

education. This pilot project also provides farm diversification that 

enhances the competitiveness of these specialty permaculture crops 

through increased market awareness, greater ecological sustainability 

through the conservation and improvement of soil health and creates 

a more diverse and resilient specialty crop system on the Prairie 

Crossing Farm. This grant request would allow for the development of 

an “Apprenticeship Program” in partnership with our resident farm, 

Prairie Wind Family Farm. The program would be piloted through the 

development of existing farm managers growing into apprentice 

farmers to establish a new permaculture segment of the farm 

business. Together, the farmer and apprentices would plan, procure, 

plant, tend and eventually harvest to sell products for an established 

200+ member CSA program, small-scale wholesale, and farmers 

markets. After establishing this pilot, the program will be evaluated to 

determine the additional apprenticeship opportunities that exist.

$33,012.00
122

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37 Expanding Small-scale Hops 

Farming in IL

Partnering with N&F Farms, Wertheim Enterprises is looking to expand 

hops farming in the state of IL by providing the background, 

opportunity, and feasibility of hops farming for other small-scale 

farmers to learn from and for large scale farmers looking to diversify.

This will be accomplished by 1) expanding the current hops test plot to 

showcase the varieties best suited for IL soils, 2) provide on-site 

training through spring installation, summer maintenance and fall 

harvesting via hand-on learning, 3) provide education to the local 

consumer via invitational seminars throughout the state at Specialty 

Crop Conference(s); farmer’s markets, local extension offices, 

microbreweries & FFA chapters throughout IL, and 4) partnering with 

the other three hops farms in IL to form the IL Hops Association & 

Cooperative.

$22,714.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Evaluation of Cover Crops & 

No-till Production Practices 

for Fresh Market Tomatoes 

& Peppers

The University of Illinois will investigate the use of cover crops and notill production for fresh market tomatoes and peppers compared with 

traditional production systems through field research and on-farm 

grower trials. They will use this research to determine best 

management practices to share with growers through field days, 

webinars, and grower production meetings.

$93,755.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Utilizing High Tunnels to 

Maximize Winter Vegetable 

Production

The University of Illinois will utilize a high tunnel at the Dixon Springs 

Agricultural Center, Simpson, IL, to determine optimum production 

system parameters to maximize yield and quality during the winter 

production of carrots, lettuce, spinach, and kale. Replicated research 

trials will be conducted over two growing seasons to determine 

optimal planting dates and production practices to maximize yield. 

Results will be shared with stakeholders during on-site grower field 

days, newsletter articles, and state and regional conferences.

$80,888.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37 Pest Degree-Day Tools for 

Specialty Crop Producers

The University of Illinois’ Prairie Research Institute will create pest 

degree-day tools such as crop specific calculators, maps, and graphs 

that focus on specialty crops to help producers detect pest presence, 

predict pest development and make improved pest management 

decisions. The new tools will include historical and forecast degree-day 

information, along with pest development information in formats that 

are mobile friendly. The success of the project will be determined by 

monitoring the use of the new tools on the website and in the media.

$40,563.00
123

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Social Computing for 

Enhancing Food Safety and 

Quality of Fresh Produce in 

Illinois Farmers’ Markets

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will develop a new 

social computing method to analyze consumers’ postings on social 

media regarding their experiences visiting (shopping at) local farmers’ 

markets (FMs). Comments and reviews about FM specialty crops from 

Yelp and Twitter will be analyzed using state-of-the art information 

technologies including text mining, machine learning, and network 

analysis. The findings will be used to enhance the food safety and 

quality of locally grown produce at Illinois FMs through prompting 

communication between farmers and consumers, and through 

educational and outreach activities.

$59,529.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Development of butterfly 

milkweed varieties with low 

seed dormancy and high 

seed yield

The University of Illinois will address consumer/producer challenges of 

establishing pollinator habitats with limited seed supply by developing 

local Illinois butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) varieties, which 

will have low seed dormancy for easy establishment and high seed 

yield for economic benefits for seed producers. Results will be 

disseminatedto local farmers/seed producers through specialty crop 

conferences and field days.

$66,476.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37

Educational Support, 

Outreach, and Marketing for 

Illinois Specialty Crops

The Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) will offer educational 

opportunities for specialty crop farmers at four regional programs and 

at the annual Illinois Specialty Crop, Agritourism, and Organic 

Conference. This project will provide specialty crop growers the 

opportunity to become informed on production and marketing topics 

pertaining to their industry, including keeping up-to-date on some of 

the newest methods and techniques to ensure top grower 

performance.

$59,150.00

Illinois 

Department of 

Agriculture

$691,673.37 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$400.50
124

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26

Value-adding Educational 

Program Enhancing Food 

Safety for Fruit and 

Vegetable Specialty Crop 

Growers

Purdue University will work in partnership with Indiana fruit and 

vegetable specialty crop farmer groups to develop a science-based 

value-adding educational program for fruit and vegetable specialty 

crop growers, addressing the stakeholders’ unique barriers to entry for 

value-added businesses and enhancing food safety and food regulation 

education. To increase profits and utilize the abundant produce, there 

is a trend for fruit and vegetable specialty crop growers to process and 

turn the produce into value-added food products. This project will 

utilize qualitative and quantitative research approaches (including 

surveys, focus groups, and curriculum) to develop and evaluate a value 

adding educational program enhancing food safety for fruit and 

vegetable specialty crop growers addressing their unique barriers.

$55,554.00

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$11,615.40

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26

Indiana Grown Specialty 

Crop Member 

Representative and Produce 

Marketing Association Show

Indiana Grown will connect with specialty crop growers, gather 

information about who is growing what products throughout the state, 

and connect them with resources specific to their production needs. 

Indiana Grown will also aid specialty crop producers who plan to 

attend the Produce Marketing Association show in 2019, which is a 

valuable sales opportunity for many farmers through the state. Lastly, 

we will be developing several Indiana Grown “trails” to Indiana U-Pick 

destinations, pumpkin patches, etc. to encourage visits to specialty 

crop producers.

$97,971.75
125

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26

Increasing the productivity, 

profitability, and 

sustainability of high tunnel 

production systems for 

Indiana specialty crops

Researchers at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) will investigate 

the use of moveable high tunnels as an improvement on stationary 

high tunnels and open field production practices for specialty crops in 

Indiana. This project will establish a long-term field trial on the new 

IUB campus farm to assess each of these three production 

environments under winter fallow and winter cover crop rotational 

practices. Climatic conditions, soil fertility levels, pest and disease 

occurrence, productivity, profitability, and other variables will be 

assessed at this trial and at nearby commercial operations relying on 

similar management strategies. This assessment will allow IUB 

researchers to identify limiting factors of stationary high tunnel 

systems and develop both mitigation practices and alternative systems 

based on moveable high tunnels. Additionally, the project will create a 

series of farm tours and hands-on educational workshops for high 

school agriculture students, and 4H/FFA Junior leaders, providing 

experiential learning opportunities for the next generation of specialty 

crop farmers in Indiana.

$121,899.00

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26 Diversification of the 

Indiana Melon Industry

Purdue University will address the demand for high quality specialty 

melons by evaluating a selection of melon types currently not 

commercially grown in Indiana. Additionally, we will test production 

technologies that have not been used before for melon production in 

Indiana and are expected to increase yield and enhance product 

quality. The project will identify superior melon varieties and 

production technologies that are suitable for open field and high 

tunnel production.

Researchers will select several types of specialty melons to evaluate 

production feasibility under conventional and high tunnel systems at 

research sites in west central and southwest Indiana. We will develop 

crop budgets that address risk and feasibility analysis, as well as 

evaluate consumer preferences and market demand. As a result of this 

work, the need for increasing specialty crop productivity and 

profitability in Indiana will be addressed. Research focused on 

specialty melons is essential for continued growth and sustainability of 

this important industry.

$126,071.00
126

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26

A Training Model for 

Maximally Efficient

Production and Diverse 

Distribution for Specialty 

Crop Growers

Growing Places Indy (GPI), a 501c3 non-profit urban farm, was 

established in 2009 and farms nearly two acres of land in Indianapolis 

on five different sites. This project will focus on two intended 

outcomes. The first outcome is for GPI to solidify the organization of a 

model for maximally efficient production of specialty crops by utilizing 

robust planning, targeted and timely plantings and stacked agricultural 

systems. Furthermore, we will solidify the organization of a system for 

diverse distribution of specialty crops through at least 15 unique 

outlets including multiple restaurant sales, a CSA program, grocery 

sales, wholesaling, farmers markets, on-site farm stand and food 

focused classes/training programs.

$35,227.50

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26 Good Neighbors Program

The Indiana Winery and Vineyard Association (IWVA) is a statewide 

association of wineries and vineyards that was established in 1975. 

Since then, IWVA has grown into a strong advocacy organization, 

representing Indiana winemakers and grape growers on legislative and 

regulatory issues. Over the past two years, the membership has 

reported significant damage in their vineyards due to the growing 

problem of pesticide volatility and drift. As new seed modifications 

emerge, agricultural chemicals and application practices evolve as well, 

creating unintended consequences when pesticides leave the intended 

target and move into neighboring fields. Because drift incidents are 

nearly always accidental, preventive education should be an important 

tool in addressing the problem. IWVA is proposing to launch a Good 

Neighbors Program to foster increased communication and 

cooperation among farmers to reduce the growing problem of drift 

damage among specialty crops, thus protecting yields and increasing 

economic returns.

$35,227.50
127

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Indiana State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$495,628.26 Fruitful Future for Students: 

Munster Fruit Gardening

Purdue Extension-Lake County will partner with Munster High School 

to create a school orchard. This project will increase student 

involvement in growing and the harvesting of produce and increase 

the consumption of fruits in the diets of students and their families. 

Munster High School was recently STEM certified by the AdvancedEd 

accreditation organization. The accreditation process requires a school 

wide interdisciplinary project. The Munster Fruit Garden will be an 

integral component of that project. The 21st Century Garden will be 

using technology to assist with growing plants and rain water 

collection systems the students will develop that will link to the 

irrigation system to water the plants. Along with that, there will be 

sensors to determine if the soil is properly moistened so that plants 

are not over or under watered. Students will also design and build 

garden beds, plan and host a community dinner, and work to develop 

a business plan that would allow them to sell their produce at the 

Munster Farmer’s Market. Students from all areas of the school will 

participate in the project.

$11,647.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Evaluating Biodegradable 

Mulches as a Sustainable 

Weed Management Tool for 

Iowa Vegetable

Growers

Vegetable growers in Iowa face several production challenges 

including erratic weather, insect and disease pressure, weeds, and 

short growing seasons. This directly affects crop development, yield, 

fruit quality, and ultimately grower profitability. The goal of this twoyear study is to help vegetable growers sustainably manage weeds 

using biodegradable mulches. Iowa State University will conduct 

research on evaluating several biodegradable mulch materials 

available in the market to learn how well biodegradable mulches 

perform compared to conventional mulches, the duration and 

effectiveness of application, and the economic feasibility of using 

biodegradable mulches. Pepper plants will be used as the test crop at 

the Horticulture Research Station in Ames, Iowa. Research findings will 

be highlighted through field days, workshops, and research tours.

$23,969.00
128

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Evaluation of Commercially 

Available Disease Models 

and Raw Data Input Models 

for Predicting Fire Blight in 

Iowa

Iowa State University will collaborate with Deal’s Orchard to provide a 

climate system capable of predicting fire blight. Using commercially 

available disease forecasting software, project leaders will compare 

weather data with disease presence via plant diagnostic testing. With 

the overall goal to monitor climate over two growing seasons to 

determine strategies to suppress disease and reduce pesticide use. 

Research findings will be disseminated at grower meetings, at climate 

system open houses, newsletters and extension publications to help 

develop a weather-based spray program.

$23,208.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Preparing Direct-toConsumer Growers for the 

Wholesale Market: 

MarketReady as a Tool to 

Diversify Farm Operations

Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach Local Foods Program 

will provide training for farmers interested in expanding their 

production and marketing systems to include wholesale and 

intermediate markets. Profitability is critical to the success of local 

food systems and many small to mid-size farmers are looking to 

diversify their operations to sustain a profitable farm business model.

$23,618.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Farmer-to-Farmer 

Knowledge Sharing to 

Improve Specialty Crop 

Quality and Profitability

Since 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa and our members have 

specialized in farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing. Members of 

Practical Farmers of Iowa who are beginning and advanced specialty 

crop farmers are always looking to improve their product quality and 

profitability and have identified that working crop-by-crop and 

learning production, harvest and packing systems from other farmers 

is an invaluable learning process that provides actionable ideas for 

their own farm. The goal of this project is to improve the 

competitiveness of specialty crops in Iowa through in-depth, cropspecific knowledge sharing among farmers at conferences, field days, 

and through on-farm research.

$24,000.00
129

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Building on Lessons 

Learned: Increasing Refugee 

Producers’ Capacity to 

Teach and Train Each Other

Many of the refugee groups settling in Iowa have spent most of their 

lives farming and have expressed a strong desire to farm in Iowa as 

well. Since 2011, Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) has been working with 

members of the various cultural groups to create the Global Greens 

program, which provides opportunities for growers to be re-connected 

to the land. Through this project, LSI will provide classroom, in-field 

and experiential trainings for farmers to improve their skills and 

knowledge in the areas of specialty crop production. Technical 

assistance in the areas of purchasing equipment, crop planning, 

accessing insurance and accounting services, loan applications and 

various certifications will be provided.

$24,000.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77 Are High Tunnel-Grown 

Peaches Profitable for Iowa?

Two faculty members at Iowa State University will lead research 

efforts to provide information to prospective growers interested in 

peach production in Iowa. High tunnel-grown peaches and field-grown 

peaches will be compared. Peach trees in both systems were 

established in May 2016 using identical planting methods with the 

same tree spacing and row orientation. Through this project, we will 

determine whether growing peaches in a high tunnel is both practical 

and economical for Iowa farmers wishing to diversify their crops.

$23,149.60

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Increasing Yield and 

Reducing Heating Costs for 

Food Crops by Revising 

Greenhouse Temperature 

Management

Iowa State University will increase the productivity and yield of food 

crops grown in greenhouses and reduce the amount of energy 

required to heat greenhouses by developing new guidelines for 

managing air temperature. This will be accomplished through 

scientifically based quantification of plant responses to reduced night 

temperatures and increased day temperatures along with computer 

modeling of the energy requirements of these temperature regimes. 

Results will be

distributed through grower meetings as well as industry and Extension 

publications.

$23,919.00
130

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Cultivating Opportunity for 

Iowa Farmers in the Woody 

Ornamental Industry

Throughout this two-year project, the Iowa Valley Resource 

Conservation and Development (IVRCD) will work with producers to 

incorporate woody ornamentals into their farm operation, conduct 

outreach to the floral industry, bring together floral product buyers 

and producers, and inform the agricultural community on these crops 

to benefit farmers and the markets alike. IVRCD will partner with two 

farms to establish woody ornamentals in their operations. These farms 

will participate in discussions with IVRCD staff to monitor progress and 

present the findings of the field trials to the agriculture community at 

area conferences. IVRCD will concurrently partner with florists to 

assess demand, price, product quality and quantity and relationships 

with area growers. Outreach with florists will help inform the on-farm 

production system, as well as handling, distribution, and marketing.

$12,000.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

Reducing Phosphorous 

Applications to Ornamental 

Greenhouse Crops

Iowa State University will reduce the amount of phosphorous applied 

to potted flowering plants and containerized annuals and perennials 

grown in greenhouses by developing new guidelines for applying 

fertilizers with reduced phosphorous concentrations. The scientificbased quantification of minimum phosphorous requirements will be 

determined to grow aesthetically appealing and marketable plants. 

Results will be distributed through grower meetings as well as industry 

and Extension publications.

$22,959.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77 My Family’s Apple Farm

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation will increase the educational 

material available to teach about fruit tree production in Iowa by 

developing the next book in a series entitled My Family’s Apple Farm. 

The book will be accompanied by lesson plans and instructional 

materials to assist teachers with linking apple production to science, 

social studies, and language arts curriculums. The book will target 3rd 

grade learners and highlight apple production in Iowa, local marketing 

and sales channels, and practices to ensure food safety from microbial 

and chemical sources. Books will be distributed to schools, libraries, 

apple growers, and others interested in teaching about apple 

production.

$13,175.00
131

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77

The Iowa Department of 

Agriculture and Land 

Stewardships’ Iowa 

Specialty Crop Awareness 

Social Media

Marketing Campaign

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will 

conduct a social media marketing campaign for Iowa specialty crops 

with an outcome to increase awareness about specialty crops grown in 

Iowa, as well as an increase consumption of specialty crops. The 

campaign will target social media users by showcasing specialty crops 

in Iowa and educating when and where to find these specialty crops.

$96,002.00

Iowa Department 

of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship

$334,269.77 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$24,185.72

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing preaward and post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block 

Grant Program funding.

$16,914.00

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48 Fresh Food Matters

Because Fresh Food Matters, a Children First (non-profit and lead 

organization) will partner with Legacy Ministries (non-profit 

organization) and Victory Gardens (for-profit company) to educate 540 

individuals (many living in poverty) about increasing specialty crops 

consumption, 2) increase access points with a new farmers’ market 

located in a low-income neighborhood, and 3) create jobs to produce 

more specialty crops.

$61,512.00

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48

Taking the Next Steps in 

Pulse Crop Development for 

Kansas

Pulse crops offers an opportunity to diversify Kansas crop production 

systems with a high value specialty crop for human 

consumption. Field peas are being adopted as an alternative crop in 

the state with an estimated 15,000 acres planted in 2018. 

Kansas State University will lead an effort to evaluate and characterize 

over 300 potential genetic sources of heat tolerance 

that could lead to the development of field pea varieties that are 

better adapted to Kansas. In addition to peas, lentil and 

chickpea are other potentially suitable pulse crops. We will evaluate 

the potential for lentil and chickpea production in 

Kansas and develop research-based management recommendations 

for all three crops.

$74,866.00
132

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48

Expanding Production and 

Markets of Fruit and 

Vegetables in North Central 

Kansas

The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) will partner 

with local producers, grocers and Advancing Rural Prosperity, Inc. 

(ARPI) to expand vegetable and fruit production and markets in the 

North Central Kansas (NCKS) region and facilitate market linkage to the 

larger food shed through the High Plains Food Coop. The outcomes 

this project is striving to achieve are to:

• Increase supply of specialty crops from NCKS producers.

• Increase markets for specialty crops through local grocers.

• Expand markets of local food products from NCKS through High 

Plains Food Coop (HPFC) market system.

• Improve the local economy as a result of specialty crop 

development.

$39,750.00

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48

Growing Specialty Crop 

Producers in South Central 

Kansas

The Extension Education Foundation, Inc. will increase the number of 

successful specialty crop producers growing fruits and vegetables for 

direct market sales in south central Kansas. This will be done through 

collaboration with county Extension agents, K-State Research & 

Extension specialists, local non-profits, and other area partners to 

develop and implement a regionally appropriate Growing Growers 

program. The program will combine apprenticeship opportunities with 

workshops designed to educate new, beginning, and socially 

disadvantaged producers about recommended production practices, 

efficient use of pesticides, fertilizer, and water, and best food safety 

practices.

$50,413.50

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48

Expansion of Blueberry 

Production in Kansas with 

Greenhouse and High 

Tunnel Growing Methods

Kansas State University will develop alternative production methods to 

grow blueberries in Midwest greenhouses and high tunnels that 

support water savings and year-round production. A market analysis 

and marketing plan will be developed to aid growers in selling their 

locally produced berries. Project outcomes include development of 

hydroponic (water culture) and container blueberry production 

methods with enterprise budgets, market analysis, and outline of a 

marketing program that may include opportunities for Agri-tourism. 

Novel production methods will be evaluated in greenhouses in 

Manhattan, Kansas, and high tunnels in Haysville, Kansas.

$33,707.00
133

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48

KDA Education Program: 

Great Lakes Expo Fruit, 

Vegetable & Farm Market

Specialty crops are a growing industry in Kansas. The Kansas 

Department of Agriculture recognizes there are insufficient learning 

opportunities available to Kansas growers. The Great Lakes Expo, held 

each December in Michigan, will provide Kansas specialty crop growers 

an opportunity to learn and discover valuable tools and resources that 

will help them be more competitive and discover new opportunities. 

The beneficiaries of this project will learn more about topics such as: 

fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop 

production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, 

farmers’ markets and organic production and marketing.

$35,527.62

Kansas 

Department of 

Agriculture

$349,025.48

Growing the Vegetable 

Producers Community with 

a Specialty Crop Growers 

Association

The goal of this project is to develop a statewide Specialty Crop 

Growers Association that will further communication, education, 

organization, and action amongst the industry.

$36,158.00

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96

Production & Marketing 

Resources for Kentucky

Specialty Crop Growers

The University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification will create 

and update science-based specialty crop production and marketing 

resources with relevant information on crop varieties, production 

practices, crop budgets, and Kentucky prices for specialty crops in 

multiple marketing channels, and disseminate these resources to 

stakeholders online and at grower conferences, meetings and field 

days.

$49,999.00

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96

Developing Sustainable 

Protection Systems for Flea 

Beetle Control

A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University of Kentucky 

will evaluate several control strategies to develop a research-based 

production system for controlling flea beetles in a range of crops for 

organic growers in Kentucky and the southeast. The project will 

compare current standard but ineffective systems for flea beetle 

control with a recently developed nylon mesh material called 

ProtekNet that excludes flea beetles and has numerous advantages 

over traditional exclusion materials, such as heat dissipation, high 

strength, and water permeability. This system will also be applicable to 

conventional growers interested in reducing pesticide usage and will 

therefore help increase the overall sustainability of specialty crop 

production in Kentucky.

$74,705.00
134

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96 Seeds for Change

The Housing Authority of Bowling Green Seeds for Change program 

will promote healthy eating among Housing Authority residents and in 

the community. Residents will continue to develop community 

gardens, swales for vegetable growing, as well as low tunnels for 

planting. Educational materials will be distributed about specialty 

crops to adults and youth. The project will help develop food 

production/preparation/preservation training for a diverse cultural 

population. The project helps to benefit Kentucky’s specialty crop 

industry as it can open new markets and knowledge of production for 

newer residents and cultural populations, many of whom bring 

produce species from their own native countries to introduce to the 

traditional farmer’s market crop.

$32,000.00

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96

Cooperative Sharing of HopSpecific Machinery and the 

Continued Dissemination of 

Best Practices for New and 

Experienced Hop Growers

The Kentucky Hop Growers Alliance (KHGA) will cooperatively share 

hop specific machinery, will disseminate hop production specific 

knowledge, and will enhance the competitiveness of Kentucky grown 

hops through the application of quality standards and practices. 

Outcomes from the project and tasks to be completed during the 

project lifecycle include the purchase of and cooperative sharing of 

processing equipment in the form of a hop harvester. Additional 

outcomes and tasks include the dissemination of hop specific 

knowledge through meetings, field days, and media outlets.

$30,500.00

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96 Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud 

Mobile Kitchen Project

The University of Kentucky will partner with the Kentucky Department 

of Agriculture to increase demand for Kentucky specialty crops by 

linking the expertise of faculty and staff in Dietetics and Human 

Nutrition with extension agents, community partners, and producers. 

The Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud (PIUKP) project will design and utilize 

a mobile PIUKP cooking, teaching, and sampling “kitchen” that will be 

utilized throughout the state as a tool to provide innovative and 

impactful programming to increase child and adult nutrition 

knowledge and consumption of specialty crops. The PIUKP Mobile 

Kitchen will garner attention and provide an avenue to promote 

consumer purchase and preparation of locally grown fruits, vegetables, 

nuts, and herbs, thus improving health and supporting local specialty 

crop producers.

$50,000.00
135

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96

Enhancing adoption of 

biological control for 

arthropod pests in high 

tunnels and greenhouses in 

Kentucky

The University of Kentucky will demonstrate to producers and county 

extension agents that biological control is a reliable, economical, and 

sustainable pest management technology for high tunnel and 

greenhouse vegetable systems and will educate these two groups on 

the best practices for biological control in these production systems. 

The steps to achieve this goal, include (1.) grower and county 

extension agent needs assessments, (2.) creating education materials 

and programs focused on best practices and procedures for biological 

control in high tunnels, and (3.) on-farm demonstrations of biological 

control as a reliable and economical pest management technology for 

these systems.

$19,798.00

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96 Specialty Crop Community 

Outreach

Eastern Kentucky University’s Red Barn Garden will collaborate with 

the Madison County Extension office and other youth gardening 

experts to organize field days at the garden to present educational 

talks and activities for elementary and high school youth as well as 

adults in the community and local farmers. The field day activities will 

be designed to increase awareness and consumption of specialty crops 

and to demonstrate technologies available to improve food safety. 

Land in this service region is available and could be farmed to reduce 

the number of food deserts in the area. By providing education and 

practical experience to potential farmers and community members, 

landowners could be better prepared to use their land to grow fruits 

and vegetables to offer their community.

$27,884.00

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96

The Development of the 

Hops Industry in Western 

Kentucky through increased 

Access to Processing and 

Marketing

The Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture will enhance 

the competitiveness of the hops industry resulting in increased yield, 

efficiency, and economic return. Further, increased access and sales 

will be achieved for multiple growers through the outcomes of this 

project. These outcomes will be accomplished through growth and 

management studies of various hops varieties over the course of the 

project. This will include the planting of 10 different varieties of hops 

to determine the most beneficial varieties and cultivation methods. 

This project will allow growth tests that can be evaluated and shared 

with others in the region through Murray State sponsored field days 

and other educational events

$28,556.00
136

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Kentucky 

Department of 

Agriculture

$340,770.96 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$27,252.00

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$32,539.93

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83 Growing Healthy Louisiana 

Kids

BREADA will increase awareness of Louisiana-grown specialty crops to 

children ages 2 to 12 by incorporating gardening activities, cooking 

demonstrations, and educational information sessions at both the Red 

Stick Farmers Market and with students at Ryan Elementary School 

located in an area with limited access to fresh produce.

$24,400.00

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83

Louisiana Strawberry 

Industry Child and Adult 

Education Program

The Louisiana Strawberry Marketing Board will educate children and 

adults about Louisiana strawberries including the nutritional benefits, 

availability, storage and handling, and preparation by developing a 

short educational video and activity booklet for child education at 

schools, summer camps, aftercare, daycare and other school events. A 

brochure will also be created for adult education at farmers’ markets, 

grocery store samplings and other events such as Ag Expo, increasing 

their knowledge about eating and encouraging them to eat more 

Louisiana strawberries, enhancing the competitiveness of this specialty 

crop through increased consumption.

$29,560.00
137

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83

Reducing Pathogen Loads 

on Produce with Water 

Soluble Bacteriocins of 

Lactic Acid Probiotic 

Bacteria

Water soluble bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) (LAB) 

produced using a novel bioprocessing technology at LSU Agricultural 

Center may reduce pathogenic loads on produce surfaces. 

Bacteriocins produced by LAB are generally regarded as safe (GRAS). 

Pathogenic bacteria in irrigation water and from wildlife can 

contaminate produce. The proposed study is to determine the 

effectiveness of the bacteriocins in reducing Listeria and Escherichia 

coli levels on the surface of cantaloupe. Consumers are concerned 

about possible adverse health effects from the presence of chemical 

antimicrobial agents on produce. Consumers are drawn to natural and 

“fresher” foods with no chemical agents added. Application of food 

grade and environmentally friendly BC should be more attractive to 

consumers and is expected to be effective in reducing pathogen loads 

and to enhance both quality and safety.

$58,160.00

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83 Louisiana Greauxing 

Gardens Programs

The competitiveness of Louisiana grown specialty crops will be 

enhanced through a partnership between the Louisiana Department of 

Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and the LSU Agricultural Center (LSU 

AgCenter) Cooperative Extension Service to provide schools and 

community groups the Louisiana’s Greauxing Gardens Program (LGG). 

First, two gardening leaders from each of the 100 school and 

community group awardees selected to participate in the Louisiana’s 

Greauxing Gardens Program will receive a gardening training and onsite consultation/visit by LSU AgCenter horticulture specialists and 

LDAF LGG Director. Additionally, the two gardening leaders will 

participate in an end-of-project celebration/project sustainability 

meeting. Third, each LGG award recipient group will be provided a 

Greauxing Garden Kit including the essential materials needed to 

successfully grow a garden. An estimated 2,000 children and adults will 

be exposed to and consume Louisiana specialty crops they have grown 

through their own efforts. Additionally, participants’ will gain 

knowledge of healthy nutrition practices, gardening skills and food 

preparation techniques.

$127,280.00
138

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83

Develop Antimicrobial 

Packaging to Maintain the 

Quality & Safety of Fresh 

Produce

With the enactment of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 

Produce Safety Rule it is critical to look at technologies that Louisiana 

producers can use to maintain a safe, unadulterated product as it 

enters the food chain. This project will be conducted at the LSU 

AgCenter and will evaluate the use of antimicrobial compounds coated 

inside the packaging materials for slow release to actively check the 

growth and cross-contamination of spoilage and pathogenic 

microorganisms. This advancement in antimicrobial packaging will help 

Louisiana produced specialty crops such as strawberries, blueberries, 

melons and leafy greens to maintain the quality, increase shelf life and 

reduce the food safety risk. This will increase the competitiveness and 

economic return of Louisiana produced specialty crops.

$48,900.00

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83

Developing Awareness of 

Louisiana Specialty Crops at 

Indian Creek

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) will 

develop awareness of, access to, and consumption of Louisiana’s 

specialty crops by hosting four specialty crops festival events reaching 

6,000 participants at Indian Creek Recreation Area (Indian Creek) in 

central Louisiana for the public. Specialty crop growers in the region 

and their crops and products will be featured to invited 

visitors/consumers. Specialty crops to be featured are Christmas trees 

and poinsettias, as well as locally grown fruits and vegetables. The 

festivals will build upon two established and successful events at 

Indian Creek that draw large crowds of participants.

$34,526.21
139

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Louisiana 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Forestry

$406,999.83

Southeast Louisiana 

Specialty Crop Farmers

Education & Technical 

Assistance for Control of 

Wild Hogs

This one-year project will solely enhance the competitiveness of 

southeast Louisiana produced specialty crops of fruits, nuts and 

vegetables by implementing an education and technical support 

program for specialty crop producers on abatement of a serious, 

invasive, agricultural pest - wild hogs. Louisiana Department of 

Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) will educate and provide technical 

assistance to southeast Louisiana specialty crop producers of fruits, 

vegetables and pecans in mitigating the damage by wild hogs to 

specialty crops in eight parishes in southeast Louisiana. Specialty crop 

producers will receive information and training opportunities, as well 

as individualized technical assistance, on best pest management 

practices in wild hog trapping. Project activities include educational 

outreach including presentations, workshops, trainings and seminars 

to groups; on-farm technical assistance/consultations; on-farm 

trapping demonstrations; and trainings to groups of interested 

specialty crop farmers on forming a local, producers’ wild hog 

cooperative to address the invasive species and pest across southeast 

Louisiana. LDAF will work with specialty crop serving groups and 

associations, individual specialty crop producers, local parish chapters 

of Farm Bureau, and parish and state Extension personnel to achieve 

the program outcome.

$51,386.00

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02

Improving blueberry 

production with IPM for 

weeds and diseases.

This project would prevent $32.6 million in annual grower losses and 

sustain $128 million in value added economic activity per year to 

Maine. Over the past several years wild blueberry growers have 

consistently ranked controlling weeds and diseases as two of their top 

concerns for sustaining crop production and yield. This project will 

continue to: (1) evaluate herbicide efficacy and compare weed 

management costs for both conventional and organic systems, (2) 

evaluate the best timing of fungicides for control of mummy berry and 

leaf spots by determining when spore dispersal occurs and determine 

the cost effectiveness control of these diseases considering their 

impact on yield.

$99,880.00
140

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02

Developing sulfur 

recommendations for Maine 

potato growers

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension, a unit of the University 

of Maine System acting through the University of Maine, will develop 

sulfur (S) recommendation for Maine potato growers to improve 

Maine potato yield and quality. Objectives of this study are to create 

robust recommendations, with multiple sites that will include varied 

soil textures, soil moisture, and weather conditions. Yield, quality, soil 

moisture, weather data, uptake, tissue sampling, and soil physical, 

chemical, and biological data will be used for this study. This will help 

in managing variably, which will benefit in reducing its application 

rates. Since recommendations will be economical using potato size, 

and other quality parameters, growers will be able to decide whether 

additional S application will improve their revenue.

$58,664.00

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02 Keeping up with the 

produce safety rule

AgMatters LLC’s “Keeping Up with the Produce Safety Rule” three-year 

proposal, will offer all Maine Specialty Crop Growers opportunities to 

be made aware of the Produce Safety Rule of FSMA and the guidance 

needed to take steps to implement it. It will ensure that growers are 

updated as the law evolves; offer guidance to growers of options they 

may have and serve as an information funnel for those looking for 

solutions to issues they many need to solve to comply with current 

safety standards.

$42,963.00

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02 Maine Potato Integrated 

Pest Management - 2019

To ensure an adequate response to the pest-related hazards 

confronting potato growers, the University of Maine System acting 

through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Potato 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program will provide support 

through field monitoring, disease forecasting, and distribution of 

educational materials. The program will employ 10 seasonal aides, 

maintain 200 specialized insect traps, coordinate a Maine-specific 

network of satellite weather information (Skybit) sites to aid in disease 

forecasting, and survey 75 potato fields on a weekly basis.

$99,571.00
141

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02

Plant Something at School” 

a Two Year, Coordinated 

Outreach Program to 

Maine’s PK-12 Students in 

Support of Maine’s Nursery 

and Landscape Specialty Cr

The Maine School Garden Collaborative (MSGC), a group of four 

partners, consists of Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC), 

ReTreeUS, Maine School Garden Network (MSGN) and MELNA. This 

program has developed as an offshoot of MELNA’s successful Plant 

Something! Plant ME! (PSPM!) marketing effort supported by SCBGP in 

the last three years. This coordinated outreach will include new 

resources for school gardens, newly planted school orchards, and the 

publishing of a new children’s book in the “Agriculture for ME” series 

promoted with the “Plant Something at School!” marketing vehicle.

$52,070.00

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02

Effects of Phenology and 

Fertilizer Applications on 

Wild Blueberry Production 

and Pests

This project will: (1) evaluate new fertilizer products and their impacts 

on weed and disease pests. (2) Study the effects of temperature 

changes and fertilizer applications on wild blueberry productivity, 

weed pressure, and disease incidence. The results of this project will 

provide guidelines on fertilizer applications and revised weed and 

disease control recommendations thereby increasing wild blueberry 

farm efficiency and profitability.

$43,887.00

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$42,095.84

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02

Scaling Up Alternative Crop 

Production in Maine Potato 

Cropping Systems

The objective for this project is to work with collaborating growers and 

provide them with agronomic and crop production resources so they 

can begin to or expand their production of alternative crops to 

continue to add to the diversity of potato cropping systems.

$100,000.00

Maine 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Conservation, and 

Forestry

$585,268.02 Food Safety Planning

AgMatters LLC’s “Food Safety Planning” is a three-year proposal that 

will provide growers the training and understanding needed to 

streamline recordkeeping processes that comply with third-party audit 

standards as well as the Produce Safety Rule.

$29,163.00

Maryland 

Department of 

Agriculture

$497,987.44 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$59,807.93
142

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Maryland 

Department of 

Agriculture

$497,987.44

Mitigating Salmonella risk 

on Maryland farms through 

knowledge-based practices 

and farmer education

This project will bring together a food safety microbiologist (Dr. Shirley 

Micallef, Associate Professor), a food safety educator (Ms. Justine 

Beaulieu, Agent Associate) and an agricultural and Extension education 

expert, (Dr. Melissa Leiden Welsh, Assistant Clinical Professor of 

Agricultural Education). All personnel are affiliated with the University 

of Maryland’s Department of Plant Science and Landscape 

Architecture (PSLA), in College Park, MD. Dr. Micallef will supervise a 

Faculty Research Assistant (Mary Theresa Callahan) in PSLA to conduct 

field and laboratory work associated with the project.

$143,202.00

Maryland 

Department of 

Agriculture

$497,987.44

GIS analysis of Maryland to 

identify regions suitable for 

the cultivation of truffles

Chesapeake Truffle will research the GIS data available from the state 

of Maryland, along with its supporters, to determine if highly valuable 

specialty crops such as Black or Burgundy truffles may be cultivated at 

new or existing sites. The existing GIS data will be analyzed by experts 

in the truffle trade from Europe and by the team from Chesapeake 

Truffle, who will then visit the most opportune locations in Maryland 

to retrieve soil samples for further analysis and validation of the 

proposed sites. The data will be provided in its entirety to the 

Maryland Department of Agriculture and be available to the public to 

promote value-added and specialty crop development. This analysis 

will indicate which existing sites may be of interest to new business 

entities and which may be beneficial for their owners to lease to 

external investors. This research will also include which unoccupied 

real estate may hold further value for investment beyond traditional 

residential, commercial or agricultural use.

$17,500.00

Maryland 

Department of 

Agriculture

$497,987.44

Maryland’s Best: Increasing 

Market Share & Consumer 

Demand for Maryland 

Specialty Crops

This project aims to increase sales and consumer demand for Maryland 

grown specialty crops through targeted advertising, strategic 

consumer and wholesale promotions, networking events, and direct 

partnerships with Maryland specialty crop producer associations. 

Maryland’s Best assets such as the web site www.marylandsbest.net, 

Maryland’s Best brand awareness and preference, producer and 

buyers contacts, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 

Communications Office and established events will be leveraged to 

ensure that the proposed funds will achieve a maximum return on 

investment.

$121,382.00
143

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Maryland 

Department of 

Agriculture

$497,987.44

Assist specialty crop 

growers in buyer and FSMA 

Produce Safety Rule 

requirements through 

continuation of the 

Maryland Good Agricultural 

Practices program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture Food Quality Assurance 

Program, the University of Maryland Plant Sciences Department and 

University of Maryland Extension will partner to provide formal 

training for producers; a consumer education on program for produce 

safety; food safety technical assistance; certification of compliance 

with food safety practices; and cost share funds to assist with 

implementation and compliance certification of food safety practices 

by continuing the Maryland GAP program and fully developing a 

consumer education program. The project will also assist farmers in 

verifying their implemented sanitation practices are effective.

$117,867.00

Maryland 

Department of 

Agriculture

$497,987.44

The invasive spotted 

lanternfly, Lycorma 

delicatula, and its specialty 

crop host plants: insect host 

usage at each 

developmental stage

The University of Maryland will investigate host plant usage of the 

spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), 

through assessing insect arolia morphology (adhesive pads which allow 

insects to climb and grasp host plants) and detecting plant DNA in their 

gut contents. Findings will be disseminated to MD growers and other 

stakeholders through field day events, commodity and in-service 

meetings, local conferences, and extension publications. This 

information will help growers and other stakeholders monitor and 

accurately predict lanternfly dispersal from non-crop host plants to 

specialty crop plants, especially grapes and apples.

$37,831.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Increasing Awareness and 

Competitiveness of 

Massachusetts-grown 

Specialty Mushrooms

Fungi Ally will enhance the competitiveness of specialty mushrooms by 

increasing Massachusetts-grown specialty mushroom sales by 15% and 

increasing awareness through marketing and educational events 

targeted to reach 50,000 individuals and 300 business establishments.

$38,500.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Choosing Local: Educating 

and Connecting School 

Administrators to Expand 

Local Foods Purchasing & 

Education

Massachusetts Farm to School will increase the preference for and 

purchasing of local specialty crops in school meals by educating high 

level school administrators about the value of featuring local foods in 

school cafeterias and classrooms, facilitating direct relationships with 

specialty crop producers through farm tours and networking events, 

and providing an improved online platform for identifying sources of 

local specialty crops available for purchase by schools and other 

institutions.

$37,200.00
144

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Marketing Plant Something 

MA (PSMA) Message 

Directly to Consumers

The PSMA campaign will focus on building the state’s green 

infrastructure through consumer outreach by publishing newspaper 

advertisements and producing a guide. The 25-page Gardening 

Resource Guide for consumers will include a years’ worth of gardening 

and landscaping tips and how-tos for the Massachusetts based 

gardener. The guide can be used as a directory of local nurseries, 

garden centers and landscapers. The guide will also feature roughly six 

articles, such as talking about the benefits of gardening. It will be 

printed to distribute at events as well as posted on the PSMA website.

$10,000.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

A Multi-faceted proposal to 

celebrate and raise 

awareness of Massachusetts 

Cranberries

The cranberry industry remains mired in one of the most significant 

economic crises it has faced in its 200-year history, and this crisis 

threatens the viability and survival of many growers in Massachusetts. 

Between drastically lower prices and significant cranberry production 

elsewhere, there has been an increase in cranberry inventories in 

recent years. There remains tremendous opportunity to educate local 

consumers about the Massachusetts cranberry industry, the health

benefits of the cranberry and more. By telling the story of 

Massachusetts cranberries, this grant project will reach more 

consumers, increase awareness of the industry and provide a solid 

education on the history, heritage, environmental stewardship and 

more of a 200-year plus industry.

$38,806.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Public Marketing for local 

specialty crops: Increasing 

Consumer Awareness, sales, 

and consumption of local 

fruits and vegetables in 

Western Mass

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) will increase 

awareness, sales, and consumption of local specialty crops through a 

robust public marketing and education effort targeting new and 

infrequent local foods shoppers. Agriculture in the Connecticut River 

Valley of Massachusetts is a $129 million enterprise and

the state ranks third in the US for average value of direct sales per 

farm (NASS 2012 Census). Seventy-nine percent of Massachusetts 

farms are family owned, and 94% of them fit into the category of 

“small farm” according to the USDA definition of sales below $250,000 

(NASS 2012 Census). Farmers in our region grow a wide variety of 

specialty crops, especially fruits and vegetables. Many specialty crop 

farmers have a similarly wide array of market outlets, including 

community supported agriculture (CSA) offerings, farmers’ markets, 

farm stands, and direct wholesale accounts.

$20,000.00
145

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Specialty Crops Digital and 

Print Marketing Campaign 

on the MBTA Rapid transit 

and Bus System

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will increase 

awareness and sales of specialty crops in the Commonwealth through 

a targeted seasonal marketing campaign utilizing print and digital 

media at high trafficked MBTA station stops as well as interior print 

cards on board subway trolleys and buses. The campaign will highlight 

various local specialty crops during their relevant in-season availability 

and instructions to visit MDAR’s MassGrown Website to find their 

nearest farm that carries and sells these crops. On the website, there 

will be an incentivized feature to have visitors take a brief survey to 

indicate if their journey to the website was in reaction to seeing the 

advertising campaign and if they have in the past and also plan to 

purchase specialty crops as a result.

$21,930.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Local Food, greener Meals: 

Specialty Crop Access and 

Education in Lowell

Mill City Grows will conduct the Local Food, Greener Meals program to 

increase access to and education about specialty crops, with an 

emphasis on dark, leafy greens (including collards, kale, spinach, and 

mustard and other culturally relevant greens) to low-income families 

and seniors in Lowell, Massachusetts. This will be done through 

growing and aggregating locally produced specialty crops, selling these 

crops via a Mobile Market deployed in Lowell, and providing education 

through point of sale information as well as a family cooking class 

offered to low-income Lowell families. This program will enhance the 

competitiveness of specialty crop through increased consumption and 

through improving the economy as a result of specialty crop 

development.

$40,800.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Correlating Healthy Soil 

Practices with Nutrient 

Quality in Carrots & Spinach

The Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter 

(NOFA Mass) will partner with farmOS software and the Real Food 

Campaign to conduct on-farm data collection on two crops, carrots 

and spinach, on a variety of farming practices, including: · Soil type 

from NRCS · Weather data from National Weather Service · Soil sample 

results from Logan Labs · Management practices broadly defined

· Cover crop usage · Tillage practices

· Past crops for two years back · Planting time

· Weeding times/techniques · Mulching quantity type/times · Cultivars 

· If transplants, time in potting soil, potting soil type, and tray type. · In 

season fertility applications time and type. · Other sensor data -

conductivity, penetrometer, refractometer etc.

$41,700.00
146

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Overcoming barriers to 

Specialty Crop Integration in 

Massachusetts and the New 

England Region

Specialty Crop Integration and Advancement Program aims to 

overcome barriers to specialty crop integration by improving the 

variability, sustainability, and profitability of the Massachusetts and 

New England specialty crop food industry. This year-long program 

includes a Specialty Crop Trade Show, presentations with institutional 

buyers, a workshop series consisting of 5 workshops, 3 of which will be 

a part of our Growing for Growth Training Workshops, targeted to 

growing local specialty crop businesses, and 1 of which will be focused 

on food safety, one 1:1 expert consultation event, a panel discussion 

with institutional food buyers, a matchmaking event, and buyer 

roadshow presentations.

$28,800.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Increasing Specialty Crop 

Access and Consumption in 

Mason square, Springfield

Gardening the Community, a project of TSNE MissionWorks, will work 

with local partners to increase access to healthy, affordable produce 

for families living in the Mason Square area of Springfield, a 

nutritionally underserved community. We will enhance the 

competitiveness of locally sourced, Massachusetts grown specialty 

crops through increasing the knowledge and consumption of specialty 

crops by youth and adults in the Mason Square area and by promoting 

Gardening the Community’s Walnut Street Community Farm Stand, a 

new access point for healthy, affordable, Mass. grown produce in 

Springfield. This project will increase the overall number of specialty 

crop consumers as well as market sales through innovative promotions 

and market-based education and cooking demonstrations. The project 

will also improve the local economy through job maintenance and 

revenue generation.

$45,000.00

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Equitable Access to Market 

for Beginning and 

Underserved Farmers 

Qualified Exempt and 

Exempt FSMA Producers

Third Sector New England as fiscal sponsor for New Entry Sustainable 

Farming Project will lead this FSMA compliance project which proposes 

to positively impact at least 150 Massachusetts farmers through FSMA

compliance education, training and direct technical assistance 

activities that will facilitate producer knowledge, behavior change, and 

understanding of how the FSMA Produce Safety Rule impacts business 

planning decisions. This proposal will build Massachusetts producer 

capacity to achieve equitable access to knowledge and training to scale 

up an agricultural business to increase access to market opportunities 

that require FSMA compliance.

$37,000.00
147

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$34,820.59

Massachusetts 

Department of 

Agricultural 

Resources

$435,586.18

Invasive Insect Pests 

Threatening Specialty Crops 

in Massachusetts: Research, 

Monitoring Stakeholder 

Engagement and Education

In Massachusetts, several invasive insect species are either already 

affecting or pose a serious threat to the specialty crop industry. 

Stakeholders have voiced the need to address the most destructive 

invasive insects threatening their crops. UMass researchers will 

develop a grower-friendly attract-and-kill system for the invasive 

spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii. The stakeholder 

engagement and education component includes (1) planning and 

implementation of ‘Preparing for the Spotted Lanternfly’ conference, 

(2) production of fact sheets and pest alerts, (3) coordination of 

targeted workshops, on-farm demonstrations, and twilight meetings, 

and (4) dissemination of results from monitoring and research

using UMass Extension websites and other media. The grower-friendly 

attract-and-kill system for SWD management is expected to aid in the 

reduction of SWD populations before harvest, potentially making

insecticide applications more effective. The student will learn 

Integrated Pest Management techniques as they relate to invasive 

pests and will present the information collected to stakeholders and 

the campus community to spread awareness of the challenges invasive 

pests pose to food security. Measurable outputs, outcomes, and 

impacts are centered on improving stakeholders’ knowledge and 

awareness of the importance of invasive insects, effective monitoring 

systems and pest management options.

$40,700.74

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Investigation into the Effects 

of Montmorency Cherry 

Juice on Human Health

The Michigan Cherry Committee (MCC) in collaboration with lead 

researchers at Northumbria University, U.K. will establish a contractual 

relationship with MDARD to examine the efficacy of U.S. 

Montmorency tart cherries on various aspects of human health. The 

funding will support research in an effort to further understand the 

role tart cherries have in improving important health indices 

associated with chronic disease.

$77,400.00
148

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64 Fruit Acreage Inventory and 

Labor Survey

Michigan Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, 

representing over 42,000 regular members, will be the primary 

organization carrying out the reporting requirements of this project. 

Our goal is to conduct a fruit acreage inventory survey of sweet cherry, 

tart cherry, apple, peach, and blueberry grower acreage in Michigan. 

We then will disseminate data received from the survey in a manner 

that will allow the fruit industry and policy makers to make sound 

business, marketing, and policy decisions that will position Michigan’s 

fruit industry by improving their competitiveness in both national and 

global markets.

$100,000.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Leveraging Farmer-toFarmer Educational Events 

for Specialty Crop Producers 

to Create

Consumer-Facing Profiles

This project will be led and executed by the Michigan Farmers Market 

Association (MIFMA) and will concentrate on workforce/labor training 

and education for direct-to-consumer specialty crop producers and 

generating increased consumer awareness of Michigan’s specialty 

crops. Supporting Michigan specialty crop producers through 

increased educational opportunities will allow for growth of specialty 

crop sales at Michigan farmers markets.

$81,310.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

The Michigan Flower 

Growers’ Cooperative: 

Cultivating Beauty in 

Southeast Michigan

The purpose of the cooperative is twofold: To bring Michigan-grown 

flowers and foliage to a central location where they can be purchased 

by licensed wholesale buyers, as well as the general public through our 

day pass program; and to educate growers about how to boost the 

success of their operations through improved quality, increased 

sustainability, expanded varieties, and best business management 

practices.

$64,359.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Closing the Loop: Models for 

Leveraging GroupGAP 

Certification

Michigan Food and Farming Systems’ project, Closing the Loop: 

Models for Leveraging GroupGAP Certification, will improve economic 

viability for USDA GroupGAP (Good Agriculture Practices) certified 

specialty crop producers.

$99,998.00
149

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Increasing Consumer 

Awareness and 

Consumption of Michigan 

Potatoes

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) is seeking to assist 

growers of table stock potatoes (red-flesh, yellow-flesh, russet, round 

white potatoes, and other novelty varieties) with specific consumerbased marketing trends and messaging for Michigan potatoes. This 

project will focus on the development of consumer-focused messaging 

and branding materials to assist Michigan based growers of fresh 

potatoes in marketing their potatoes to consumers in the Great Lake’s 

region, specifically targeting Michigan.

$99,096.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64 Establishing the Michigan 

Pumpkin Association

The aim is to address the current large number of growers who lack 

the organization and marketing skills necessary to distribute 

information about Michigan’s pumpkin production. Organizing 

pumpkin growers in a fashion that will coordinate communication, 

promotion and marketing of the industry will strengthen the industry, 

increase profitability to growers, educate the public on the health 

benefits and availability of Michigan grown pumpkins and potentially 

increase the Michigan pumpkin production. The ultimate goal is to 

increase the number of consumers purchasing Michigan grown 

pumpkins.

$15,500.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Development of ChefInspired, Dietician 

Approved, Healthy Recipes 

to Increase Michigan 

Specialty

Crops Market Share.

The Michigan Restaurant Association Educational Support Foundation 

(MRAESF) proposes to increase the demand for Michigan specialty 

crops through a comprehensive approach of education and the 

development and dissemination of chef-inspired and dietician 

approved recipes. To accomplish this goal, the MRAESF will leverage 

strong existing partnerships with several commodity groups, 

GreenStone Farm Credit, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, chefs 

and dieticians. This project will expose 5,000 high school ProStart 

students to information about Michigan specialty crops with a focus

on the development of heathy recipes utilizing these crops.

$69,251.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Identification of Superior 

Apple Cultivars for Novel 

Applications in Michigan

The Michigan State Horticultural Society would partner with Michigan 

State University to identify existing apple cultivars that are optimal to 

produce quality hard ciders, and that could be grown profitably in 

Michigan. In addition, the team would continue development of 

improved red-juiced cultivars designed for Michigan production 

conditions.

$82,813.00
150

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Development of Precision 

Decision Support Systems to 

Protect and Optimize 

Michigan Tree

Fruit Production

The Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, in partnership with Michigan 

State University’s AgBioResearch horticultural scientists and Extension 

educators, will establish a network of season-long assessments for 

winter cold hardiness and spring crop loads across the state’s major 

tree fruit production regions. Data from these networks will be used to 

develop and refine precision decision support systems for growers to 

better implement orchard measures.

$99,950.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Developing Integrated Crop 

Management and Extension 

Programming for Michigan 

Table Beet

and Turnip Production

The Michigan Vegetable Council will be responsible for this project. 

The overarching goal of this project is the development of integrated 

crop management and extension programming for Michigan table beet 

and turnip production. The general tasks to be completed during the 

project period are: (1) Determine cause and distribution of scab on 

table beet and turnip; (2) Develop integrated disease management 

tools for scab in table beet and turnip; (3) Limit rhizomania in table 

beet production area; (4) Determine the best rate and timing of 

application of insecticides for cabbage maggot control.

$65,914.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Optimizing Production of 

Processing Squash with 

Increased Quality and 

Disease Resistance

The Michigan Vegetable Council along with MSU researchers Drs. 

Hausbeck and Hayden will optimize hard squash production for the 

fresh market and processing industries. Guidelines to maximize yield 

and quality will be developed and communicated to growers. 

Cooperation among processors, growers, researchers, and extension 

educators will ensure sustainability and profitability. Activities include: 

(1) Replicated and controlled laboratory and field tests for fruit quality 

and rot resistance among cultivars, (2) Comparing strategies for foliar 

blight and impact on fruit quality, and (3) Grower demonstration plots 

and outreach meetings.

$93,837.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

“A Pickle’s Purpose” via 

Pickleball – Aa Marketing 

Program to Increase Pickle 

and Pickled Vegetable

Consumption in a Mature 

Market.

Pickle Packers International, Inc. (PPI) proposes to develop a marketing 

program to increase consumption of pickles and pickled vegetables in 

a mature market by leveraging one of America’s fastest growing sports 

with a similar name, Pickleball.

$100,000.00
151

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

International & Domestic 

Promotion of Michigan 

Specialty Crops

The outlined project will allow Michigan specialty crop companies and 

commodity groups the ability to exhibit at major domestic and 

international trade shows with the goal of finding new markets and 

meeting with potential buyers. Connecting the Michigan specialty crop 

industry with potential buyers is critical for the expansion of sales both 

domestically and internationally.

$141,796.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$148,221.46

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Enhancing Competitiveness 

of Michigan Apples through 

Consumer Awareness

MAC aims to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan Apples through 

consumer awareness efforts. MAC proposes to spend $100,000 on a 

campaign using online and print tactics to educate consumers and 

increase demand for Michigan Apples. The project will build 

engagement with consumers to drive a deeper connection and 

awareness that will translate to increased apple movement in the 

retail marketplace.

$100,000.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Strengthening the Market 

for Michigan Tart Cherry 

Farmers

The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) will enhance the market of 

Michigan-grown Montmorency tart cherries through print advertising, 

as part of a strategy to curb the trend of imported tart cherry products 

stealing the market share, both here in Michigan and throughout the 

U.S. Advertising will appear in trade publications with readership 

comprised of food and beverage industry professionals, including 

product developers, manufacturers, retailers, and restaurateurs. These 

professionals make ingredient decisions for major food manufacturers 

nationwide.

$35,954.00
152

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Developing Processed 

Frozen Vegetables for 

Wholesale to Independent 

Groceries

The Flint Fresh Food Hub will build upon Flint’s already active local 

food movement, one that has been building momentum, despite 

limited resources to address the income and health disparities present 

in Flint and Genesee County’s residents. Flint’s recent and ongoing 

water crisis has caused an even more pressing need for healthy foods 

to help mitigate the effects of lead exposure, especially for children. 

With this funding support, Flint Fresh can improve access to healthy 

food, support local farmers and producers, increase the number of 

local food-related businesses, process produce for institutional sales 

and create jobs.

$82,408.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Enhancing the 

Competitiveness of 

Michigan’s Newest 

American Viticulture Area 

by Increasing Awareness, 

Sales and Sustainability

This project will develop branding messages for industry and consumer 

audiences; develop and distribute media packets focused on cold 

climate grapes within our AVA; sponsor advertising/media campaigns 

and host an onsite education event for national and Midwest wine 

industry influencers in spring 2020.

$100,000.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Integrated Crop 

Management and 

Biorational Strategies for 

Sustainable Asparagus 

Production

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, working with Michigan State 

University, is seeking funding to support research to help growers 

improve productivity and manage key risks that threaten the longterm sustainability of the MI asparagus industry.

$99,970.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Integration of Sustainable 

Management Practices 

Essential for the 

Advancement of Michigan 

Dry Bean Production

The Michigan Bean Commission will oversee this multifaceted project 

designed to find resistance to a new race of anthracnose and to 

validate the proper use of harvest aids for drying down weeds and dry 

bean vines before harvest. Further, variable rates and timing of 

nitrogen application and the use of cover crop residues will be 

investigated for their interactions with white mold (Sclerotinia) disease 

to mitigate yield reductions in dry beans.

$99,982.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Developing Tactics for Stem 

Gall Wasp Control in 

Michigan Blueberries

This project by the Michigan Blueberry Commission will address the 

top priority insect pest concern of the Michigan blueberry industry, the 

stem gall wasp. This insect has become much worse in recent years 

and it is having significant economic impact.

$99,303.00
153

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Strategies to Protect Carrot 

Root Quality and Maximize 

Marketable Yields

The Michigan Carrot Committee, in cooperation with Michigan State 

University, is seeking funding to develop strategies to address critical 

challenges facing Carrot Root Quality. These efforts will also explore 

the potential for emerging technologies to further promote the 

productivity, profitability, and sustainability of carrot production in 

Michigan and beyond. This project addresses key threats to carrot root 

quality and marketable yield.

$99,423.00

Michigan 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Rural 

Development

$2,152,904.64

Integrating Insect and 

Disease Strategies to 

Advance Celery Field 

Management

This proposal is submitted by the Michigan Celery Research Inc. and 

seeks to improve field management of insects and diseases that 

reduce celery yield and quality. Celery production fields are 

established with greenhouse-grown plants. Few fungicides are 

available and registered to protect celery seedlings while in the 

greenhouse when management should be initiated. By developing 

effective management programs that begin in the greenhouse and 

continue to the field, losses due to Cercospora Early Blight will be 

reduced.

$92,440.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Produce Safety and 

Preparation for the FSMA 

Produce Safety Rule: GAPs 

Online Training and 

Workshops

This project provides food safety education and technical assistance to 

Minnesota specialty crop growers, helping them prepare for FSMA 

Produce Safety Rule implementation through creation of an online 

GAP training program and in-person workshops. University of 

Minnesota Extension will improve Minnesota specialty crop growers’ 

knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and the Food Safety 

Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) by developing a 

new, seven-module online GAP training course for Minnesota specialty

crop growers. Modules will include: 1) FSMA overview and the GAP 

audit process, 2) information about threats to food safety from 

microbial pathogens, 3) practical on-farm GAP implementation 

practices to reduce foodborne illness, and 4) guidance for creating an 

on-farm food safety plan. Each module will include on-farm footage at 

various farm locations, bringing these topics to life. In addition, 

Extension will deliver eight in-person GAP training workshops to 

Minnesota growers of all sizes, including immigrant and minority 

growers, and will focus on developing farm food safety plans.

$91,258.00
154

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Expanding Produce Sales 

through Farmers' Market 

Aggregation - Phase 2

This project builds upon and enhances the Farmers’ Market 

Aggregation project that develops new sales for specialty crop farmers 

to wholesale buyers. In addition, we will conduct a financial analysis to 

evaluate the sustainability of this system. In 2018, Renewing the 

Countryside launched the Farmers’ Market Aggregation project with 

eight markets across the state to assist them in developing new 

markets for their vendors by facilitating sales to a broader pool of 

buyers including institutions, restaurants, groceries, and other retailers 

in their communities. Because of the momentum and excitement, we 

are already seeing in these eight communities, and because a 

significant part of the effort this first year has been in developing and 

testing systems, we are seeking a second phase of funding for this

project.

$99,607.83

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Efficient Statewide 

Marketing of Minnesota 

Grown Specialty Crops

This project increases sales of MN specialty crops through statewide 

marketing including sponsored search advertising (pay-per-click), 

promoted social media posts, and promotion of specific specialty crops 

in the printed Minnesota Grown Directory. The Minnesota Grown 

Promotion Group, Inc. (MGPG) is a private, non-profit 501(c) (6) 

organization whose membership includes the MN Apple Growers 

Association, MN Christmas Tree Association, MN Farmers Market 

Association, MN Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, MN Grape 

Growers Association, MN Honey Producers Association, MN Nursery 

and Landscape Association, Central MN Vegetable Growers Association 

and the St. Paul Growers Association. The MGPG works closely with 

the MDA’s Minnesota Grown Program, which has more than 1,300 

producer members.

$94,800.00
155

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Optimizing Deep Winter 

Greenhouse Production and 

Profitability for Specialty 

Crop Farmers

University of Minnesota researchers will improve Deep Winter 

Greenhouse designs, create business planning and financing tools, and 

conduct workshops in winter production. 

Passive solar Deep Winter Greenhouses increases the capacity for 

small- and medium-scale farmers to grow specialty crops in the winter. 

This project by the University of Minnesota addresses barriers to 

access by: 

(1) Modifying DWG designs to reduce construction costs per square 

foot; 

(2) Developing designs for optimal planter and workspace 

configurations to maximize production efficiency; 

(3) Creating enterprise budgets and narratives so producers and 

financiers understand production and profitability expectations; and

(4) Conducting production workshops.

$100,000.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Improvement of a Cellphone 

App to Help Growers 

Comply with FSMA 

Recordkeeping 

Requirements

This proposed project by the Department of Horticulture, University of 

Minnesota, will test cellphone record keeping app designs and 

improve a Beta version that can be released to farmers to help them 

comply with requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act 

(FSMA). The FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires that farmers keep 

records to allow traceback of products; support a farm’s coverage or 

exemption status; and document employee training, water testing 

results, any biological soil amendment process, and cleaning and 

sanitization of equipment and tools. Many growers use paper records, 

but some growers have stated that a cellphone app would make it 

easier for them to keep records as they walk around their farms. These 

records also help farmers pass Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) 

audits. The proposed project will test designs of cellphone apps, 

including one developed by Kansas State University and Missouri State 

University Extension, by obtaining input from growers about how they 

would use the app, and what features should be included. The goal of 

the project is to create an improved app that will be released to all 

specialty crop growers.

$36,886.00
156

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Increasing Production, 

Markets and Supply Chain 

Networks for Asparagus 

using Soil Health Practices

The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota (SFA) proposes a 

pilot project to increase production of asparagus in Minnesota through 

improved soil health practices, expanding supply chain networks and 

markets and working with beginning and operating farmers. SFA 

proposes to scale up asparagus production by recruiting, educating, 

and coaching 10 farmers to produce and sell asparagus commercially 

over the project, using soil health practices. At least 10 farmers will be 

from underserved communities. SFA will prepare a workshop 

curriculum and educational materials, hold 3 workshops/field days per 

year over 2 years, recruit from SFA's chapters, the Hmong American 

Farmers Association, the Minnesota Food Association, and Deep Roots 

beginning farmer cohort, and work with UM Extension on curriculum 

and materials development.

$50,000.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Early Warning Forecast 

Models for the Invasive 

Japanese Beetle in 

Minnesota Specialty Crops

The Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, will develop 

new early warning forecast tools for specialty crop (raspberry, grape) 

growers in Minnesota to aid in managing the invasive Japanese Beetle 

(JB) that has recently been defoliating these crops. In this project, we 

propose 4 specific research objectives that will allow us to develop a 

new forecast model for JB adult emergence, or "early warning system" 

for growers. This goal, coupled with improvements in trap efficiency, 

and a detailed insecticide trial, will provide new tools growers can use 

for managing JB more effectively; raspberry and grapes are two 

important “model specialty crops” that will be the focus of the project. 

However, the early warning system can also be applied to other crops. 

New research results will be disseminated to growers in a timely 

manner.

$98,501.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Nursery Tree Lives Matter: 

Drift from Spraying Stacked 

Herbicide Resistant Crops

Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) will study the 

effects of herbicide drift and carry-over injury on “non-target” nursery 

trees that escalated severely in 2017. Minnesota ranks 4th in state 

investigations with 171 official complaints from use of stacked 

glyphosate and dicamba resistant genes. Our overall goal is to reduce 

the incidence of drift and carryover injury in MN nurseries by finding 

the levels and times of applications that are least problematic to 

nursery stock. Also, by ranking susceptibility of three very commonly 

grown species in the state, field placement and other cautionary 

activities to protect the most susceptible species can be found.

$100,000.00
157

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Drones based Scouting 

Potato of Virus Y in Seed 

Potato

The University of Minnesota Northwest Research & Outreach Center 

(UMN-NWROC) in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of 

Agriculture (MDA) proposes to develop techniques to remotely 

identify Potato Virus Y (PVY), a severely economically limiting disease, 

in seed potatoes using drone based sensors. This will improve the 

efficiency and accuracy of within season management and improve 

certification of seed potatoes by rapidly identifying infected plants for 

removal. Post-season seed certification efforts assessing infection in 

submitted seed lots will be faster and more accurate using these 

techniques. This tool will improve the success rate of seed lot 

certification, thereby improving economic sustainability of seed potato 

production in MN. It will provide additional security in marketing MN 

seed potatoes nationally and internationally.

$99,934.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Strengthening the Regional 

Seed System through 

Pepper Improvement for 

Minnesota Organic 

Agriculture

Organic Seed Alliance, a national organization with Midwest-based 

programs, engaged in education, research, and advocacy to advance 

organic seed, will lead this project in partnership with local 

organizations Farm Table Foundation, Seed Sages, Riverbend Farm, 

and the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative at University of Wisconsin. The 

proposed project improves the quality and availability of openpollinated sweet pepper varieties adapted to organic production in 

Minnesota, while increasing the capacity of Minnesota vegetable 

farmers to save seed, improve varieties on-farm, and engage with 

growing grassroots efforts to strengthen the regional seed system of 

the upper Midwest. The project’s outcomes include: 1) improving 

productivity and economic return for growers using improved crop 

varieties, 2) increasing resilience in organic vegetable systems by 

building farmer capacity, and 3) increasing awareness within the twin 

cities culinary community.

$60,000.00
158

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Terroir: How Soils Impact 

Cold Hardy Grapes and 

Wine Quality

This University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Grape Breeding and Enology 

project will conduct the proposed research in collaboration with North 

Dakota State University (Subcontract). This project aims to understand 

the role of soil conditions and harvest date on the quality attributes of 

two commonly grown white and red wine grape varieties. 'Brianna' is a 

cold-hardy hybrid grape developed by Elmer Swenson, with a Vitis 

labrusca background, but is a preferred wine grape across the cold 

climate region. 'Marquette' is a Vitis riparia and Vitis vinifera based red 

wine variety developed by the University of Minnesota. These varieties 

have supposedly produced very different wines even though harvest 

parameters and vinification procedures were similar. We will 

investigate differences in soil, climate, and harvest timing as it relates 

to fruit and wine quality for 'Brianna' and 'Marquette' grapes grown in 

both Minnesota and North Dakota for two years. Research wines will 

be produced at a central location (UMN) and will be evaluated for 

chemical and sensory data. The results will be analyzed and 

interpreted and shared with industry stakeholders.

$93,478.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

A Convergence of Multiple 

Independent Specialty Crop 

Organizations’ Annual 

Conferences

This project, led by the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association, 

establishes a platform where several independent specialty crop 

organizations can successfully hold their annual conferences together 

at the same place, same time. This benefits specialty crop growers, 

many who belong to several of these organizations, to meet at one 

time, minimizing their expenses and maximizing their educational and 

networking opportunities. The collaborating specialty crop 

organizations will also be able to minimize expenses, while being able 

to offer more in-depth education to their growers than they could 

individually, including increased programming for socially 

disadvantaged and beginning farmers. Additionally, more trade show 

exhibitors and sponsors will be able to reach more growers, since the 

convergence also saves them resources.

$55,069.00
159

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Developing Goji Berry as a 

Viable New Perennial Fruit 

Crop for Minnesota Growers

This project will investigate a number of aspects of goji berry as a new 

crop to Minnesota farmers, which include to select elite traits, develop 

techniques for clonal propagation, establish a long-term trial 

location(s), and breed for new cultivars. University of Minnesota 

researchers will develop superior cultivars and growing methods for 

goji berry, which will result in its adoption as a new specialty crop for 

Minnesota growers. To advance goji berry as a specialty crop for 

Minnesota growers, this project will initiate the following tasks: 1) 

acquire a diverse seed and cultivar collection of red and black goji, 2) 

develop methods for clonal propagation, 3) establish long-term trial 

location(s) for plant selection, and 4) improve germplasm through 

hybridization and polyploidization.

$100,000.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Market Opportunities for 

New Early Season Apple 

Varieties

This project is being carried out internally by Minnesota Department of 

Agriculture (MDA) staff and directly addresses the MDA funding 

priority of "improving operational efficiency, reducing costs or other 

barriers, or increasing access to distribution systems and new markets 

for specialty crops". Minnesota apple growers are rapidly planting 

apple varieties that ripen between mid-August and early September. In 

addition to an earlier harvest date, these new varieties provide a vastly 

superior eating experience to traditional early season varieties suitable 

for Minnesota's climate. This project will accelerate market 

development for these locally grown apples through a multi-pronged 

approach including point-of-sale materials, social media and other 

digital marketing efforts, and a targeted public relations campaign to 

secure positive media attention via statewide mainstream media as 

well as non-traditional media such as bloggers.

$45,000.00
160

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Specialty Crop Farmers' & 

Marketers' Guide to the 

Food Safety Modernization 

Act

Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) will author, publish, and conduct 

10 workshops with 6 partners over 2 years on a "Specialty Crop 

Farmers’ & Marketers’ Guide to the Food Safety Modernization Act," 

targeting socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers. FLAG will 

author and publish the FSMA guide. FLAG will also present legal, 

technical, and educational information at 10 farmer/marketer training 

workshops. Five workshops will be held per year, one each by FLAG’s 5 

workshop partners. Outcomes include increased farmer/marketer, 

satisfaction of/exemptions from FSMA, knowledge of FMSA 

requirements, understanding of labeling and recordkeeping 

requirements, and safer direct-marketed foods.

$75,000.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21

Sweet Potato as Value 

Added Specialty Crop for 

IndigiBaby Food Initiative of 

Minnesota

Indigenous People Task Force in collaboration with the Global Institute 

for Food Security and International Agriculture (GIFSIA) at North 

Dakota State University will advance organic, sustainable production of 

health targeted specialty sweet potato and to design culturally 

relevant baby food with superior nutritional profiles for indigenous 

Native American communities of Minnesota. Such health targeted 

ethnic food models are essential to address health disparities in Native 

American communities of MN and the Northern Plains as they 

experience the worst rate of diet -related non-communicable chronic 

diseases (NCDs) such as maternal gestational diabetes impacting 

children health. To counter these health disparities new innovation 

based on health targeted ethnic plant-food model is essential. Diverse 

Sweet potato cultivars will be screened for their nutritional profile. 

Innovations in management soil biology and organic matter will be 

developed for improving sustainable production. Native American 

consumers and growers will be engaged through outreach and test 

marketing of value added sweet potato baby food at local farmers 

markets and health-related conference across MN to raise awareness 

of health benefits of sweet potato value added products.

$75,000.00

Minnesota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,397,427.21 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$120,576.44
161

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23 Growing Lunch School 

Garden Grant

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is seeking to 

enhance the Farm to School program in the State of Mississippi. The 

state’s first Farm to School week was held in 2012 as a celebration in 

conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Education. MDAC has 

designated the first week of October as Farm to School week in 

Mississippi, as October is part of National Farm to School Month. The 

two participating agencies continue to see a need to increase 

agriculture awareness in the classroom and lunchroom. The purpose of 

the Farm to School program is to support local state farmers while 

serving healthy foods in school cafeterias. In addition, this program is 

an educational tool used to enhance the knowledge of our school-aged 

children on agriculture and healthy eating.

$10,000.00

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$32,670.00

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Good Agricultural Practices 

education - Identifying the 

barriers and challenges 

faced by producers

Mississippi State University will conduct a study that seeks to identify 

the barriers and cost of implementing Good Agricultural Practices 

(GAP) and the challenges faced by producers of various operation sizes 

in the south. We will identify the characteristics of producers who are 

GAP certified or have adopted food safety practices in their 

operations, the market outlets for their products, and whether the 

adoption of food safety practices is driven by market requirements. 

This project will help identify how small specialty crop producers are 

due to market requirements that are, indirectly, affected by the 

implementation of any other food safety regulation. An analysis of the 

information collected will be disseminated in academic and extension 

outlets to inform policy makers, producers, and to guide extension 

efforts. Workshop/trainings will be conducted around Mississippi to 

educate producers about GAP and the development and 

implementation of food safety plans.

$9,786.50
162

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Using Research And 

Extension Programming To 

Remedy White Drupelet 

Disorder In Blackberries

Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Agriculture and 

Forestry Experiment Station, in collaboration with USDA-ARS, will use 

cutting edge genetic techniques as well as cultivation practices to 

establish the cause of white drupelet disorder in blackberries and 

create a baseline for new research and outreach programming. Results 

of the study will be disseminated to growers and other researchers via 

field days, short courses, and conferences such that the new 

information can be used to reduce or eliminate the problem thus 

increasing blackberry planting viability and economic sustainability in 

Mississippi and other southern states.

$12,622.00

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Sustainable Systems To 

Mitigate Injury To Sweet

potato From Use Of Auxin 

Technologies In Adjacent 

Row-Crops

Mississippi State University will conduct research to 1) determine the 

influence of dicamba and 2,4-D on sweet potato plant/propagation 

beds and downstream impacts on plant/propagule production and 

subsequent crop yield and 2) determine the influence of dicamba and 

2,4-D rate and application timing on sweet potato crop tolerance, 

yield, and quality. Research-based findings will be shared with 

stakeholders and the greater scientific community via field days, 

production meetings, expos, conferences, Extension publications/fact 

sheets/bulletins, and electronic newsletters, webpages, and social 

media.

$50,756.40

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Using Weed-Suppressive 

Sweet potato And CoverCrops For Weed 

Management And Increased 

Profitability Of Organic

The Mississippi State University will provide effective control of 

problematic weeds in organic sweet potato production systems by 

selecting allelopathic sweet potato varieties and integrating them with 

cover crops and OMRI-approved herbicides. The main goal of this 

project is to select sweet potato varieties with weed-suppressive traits 

that can help control major weeds in organically grown sweet potato, 

including yellow and purple nutsedge, annual grasses, common 

cocklebur, and pigweed species. These sweet potato varieties will be 

tested in field to evaluate the level of weed suppression and integrate 

it with weed-suppressive cover crop and OMRI-approved herbicides.

$37,560.15
163

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

High Tunnel Production Of 

Grafted Tomato For 

Improved Productivity And 

Disease Resistance

Mississippi State University will conduct research to: 1) Compare crop 

yield and quality of grafted tomato cultivars with ungrafted plants; 2) 

Investigate the benefit of high tunnel on cultivar performance and 

early fruiting; 3) Investigate the feasibility of organic tomato 

production with grafted tomato plant in a high tunnel system; and 4) 

Investigate nutritional values and health beneficial compounds of hightunnel produced tomatoes from different treatments. This project 

seeks to mitigate the challenge of high disease pressure created by 

Mississippi’s humid climate and low yield of some popular heirloom 

tomato cultivars with superior flavor, which largely limits productivity 

and competitiveness of tomato growers in tomato production. The 

result will be the ability to provide local markets with quality tomatoes 

during a relatively early-season where other sources are not available 

is key to high market price.

$28,027.80

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Improving Wildflower 

Production In Mississippi 

Through Planting Densities 

Studies And Plant Growth 

Regulator Applications

Mississippi State University will improve wildflower production of four 

native species (Coeropsis lanciolata, Rubeckia hirta, Echinacea 

purpurea, and Ratibita columnifera) by determining appropriate 

planting densities and utilizing plant growth regulators to increase 

flowering and seed yields. Wildflowers are important for sustaining 

pollinator populations, soil retention, and restoration efforts. The 

overall goal is to reduce the production time of perennial wildflowers 

while decreasing weed contamination and maximizing seed quality.

$20,136.00

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Public Relations Campaign 

To Promote Buying 

Mississippi Honey

Farm Families of Mississippi will develop and implement a promotional 

campaign that educates the public about the benefits of buying and 

consuming Mississippi-grown honey. A baseline sales figure for the 

2018 crop year will be established, a TV spot will be produced and 

aired statewide, a billboard that promotes buying Mississippi honey 

will be secured, and sales figures for the 2019 crop year will be 

compiled and compared with the baseline sales figure.

$150,000.00
164

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Variety Evaluation Of 

Diverse Leafy Vegetables 

And Microgreens As Salad 

Greens

Mississippi State University will conduct variety trials on leafy green 

vegetables including mustard greens, spinach, Asian greens, kale, and 

arugula to fulfill the need of diversifying the consumption of leafy 

green vegetables. We will also evaluate crop performance of 

microgreens crops. Plant growth, yield, mineral nutrients, and health 

beneficial compounds of different crops and varieties will be 

investigated. Cultural practices regarding planting density and season, 

harvest size, and fertilization management will be recommended. This 

proposed study will generate information to promote production of 

diverse leafy greens and microgreens in Mississippi, increase grower 

income and competitiveness, and promote a healthy local food 

system.

$27,427.50

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Designing A High Tunnel 

Training Program Based On 

Current Use, Successes, And 

Pitfalls Among Specialty 

Crop Producers In 

Mississippi

Mississippi State University, Coastal Research and Extension Center 

will quantify and evaluate the success of the NRCS EQIP cost-share 

program for high tunnels and design and implement a training 

program for increased success among specialty crop producers.

$4,180.00

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Extending Blueberry Market 

Season Into Fall With Late 

Fruiting Cultivars And High 

Tunnel Systems

Mississippi State University will collaborate with blueberry breeders 

and growers to investigate the potential of using late fruiting cultivars 

and high tunnel systems to extend blueberry harvest season into late 

fall. Results will be used to help growers identify suitable cultivars and 

season-extension technologies to successfully produce late-season 

blueberries and provide consumers with locally produced off-season 

high-quality fresh blueberries.

$36,905.80

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

The Piney Woods School 

Specialty Crops Education 

Project

The Piney Woods School will work with students in the Piney Woods 

area and surrounding school districts to enhance the competitiveness 

of specialty crops by increasing consumption of, and access to, local 

vegetables through expanding the existing farm, increasing student 

participation in growing and harvesting, and providing education and 

access to local farmers.

$5,641.00
165

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23

Developing Highly Efficient 

Tea Propagation Systems 

Using Sexual and Asexual 

Methods

Mississippi State University will collaborate with tea growers to 

develop efficient tea propagation systems using sexual and asexual 

methods. Results will be used to help growers produce high quality tea 

nursery plants to meet the increasing demand from current and 

prospective tea growers. Results will be disseminated to stakeholders 

through direct grower contacts, meetings, field days, and publications.

$8,693.83

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23 Mississippi Specialty Winter 

Crop Garden

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum plants, maintains, 

and harvests specialty crops as a means of educating the public. This 

project would provide an increase in understanding with regards to 

our Mississippi Specialty Winter Crops, as we have been able to 

establish for our summer crops. This project will not only educate 

students on the winter crops, but it will communicate the value of past 

and present Mississippi agricultural lifestyles and the practices which 

we believe are essential in promoting future careers in agriculture to a 

new generation.

$1,700.00

Mississippi 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Commerce

$441,411.23 Let’s Have a Festival

South Mississippi Farmers Market Association will, through a series of 

Specialty Crop Festivals such as the Ocean Springs Red, White and 

Blueberry Festival and the Long Beach Radish Festival, held in 

conjunction with its five farmers markets along the Mississippi Gulf 

Coast, increase consumption and awareness of Mississippi Specialty 

Crops within a Festival Atmosphere. All five markets (Ocean Springs 

Fresh Market, Gulfport Harbor Market, Beach Blvd. Market, Gulfport, 

Florence Gardens Farmers Market, Gulfport and Long Beach Farmers 

Market) have good relationships with local government, Chambers of 

Commerce, Main Street Associations and the Gulf Coast Restaurant 

Association all of whom will be invaluable in helping organize and run 

the Festivals.

$5,000.00

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$35,306.87
166

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31 Using Specialty Crops in 

Community Gardens

Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) will use Specialty Crop Block 

Grant funds to support existing and new Community Partner Gardens 

by providing garden tools, soil amendments, construction materials, 

specialty seeds and plants, and ongoing technical assistance. 

Community Partner Gardens expose Missourians to specialty crops, 

enhancing their willingness to cultivate and consume new fruits and 

vegetables. By growing specialty crops in their KCCG-supported 

Community Partner Gardens, adults and youth will learn about food 

production and the diverse variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that 

can grow in Northwest Missouri's climate. Community gardens also 

encourage neighboring residents to start gardens at their homes and 

in their neighborhoods, thereby expanding Missouri's specialty crop 

growers and increasing access to specialty crops.

$20,444.01

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Building on Success –

Statewide Training for 

Specialty Crop Farmers

Through “Building on Success – Statewide Training for Specialty Crop 

Farmers”, the Webb City Farmers Market and its partners, MU 

Extension and LU Co-Operative Extension, will provide training for 

specialty crop farmers on winter production and year-round tomato 

production. The project, if funded, would provide three two-day 

conferences on winter production featuring national, regional, and 

local presenters, two in 2019 and one in 2020. It would also provide a 

one-and-a-half-day conference on tomato production featuring 

national, regional, and local presenters in 2019 and 2020. Both the 

Conference and the School will use a combination of academic 

presenters and farmer presenters. Each Conference and each School 

will be held in a different region of the state to provide easier access to 

farmers across the state.

$50,000.00
167

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Fostering Missouri Specialty 

Crop Competitiveness 

through Industry 

Collaboration

The University of Missouri requests funding to identify the potential to 

foster industry-wide collaboration that strengthens Missouri’s 

specialty crop industry, enhances its competitiveness, and enables it to 

grow its contribution to Missouri’s economy. The state’s specialty crop 

industry has great opportunities for growth as consumer demand is 

strong for local foods and individuals can choose specialty crops as a 

strategy to enter the agriculture industry. Despite the opportunities, 

Missouri’s specialty crop industry is fragmented. Multiple state 

organizations have formed to serve specialty crop growers, but the 

leadership, resources, and member engagement available to each one 

independently hasn’t had the strength to enable those groups to make 

the most of the opportunities available. Existing specialty crop industry 

associations in Missouri have an opportunity to collaborate and form a 

single “umbrella” organization that would enable these associations to 

operate more efficiently, offer needed resources and services to their 

members, and benefit the state’s entire specialty crop industry.

$39,556.00

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31 Expanding the Novelty 

Melon Market in Missouri

University of Missouri Extension will initiate a yield and quality trial for 

novelty melons in Missouri. Since 2015, new releases in most 

categories have been grown and taste tested. During this time, four 

melons were identified for semi-commercial evaluation, to gather 

yield, quality and storage information. These are Brilliant (Canary), 

Honey Orange (crispy flesh Honeydew), Lambkin (Piel De Sapo), and 

Lily (small & early Crenshaw). Each has an appearance and taste profile 

distinctly different from cantaloupe. In this project, these four novelty 

melons, and ‘Sugar Cube’ (as a control), will be grown in a replicated 

yield and quality trial. Melon farmers in southeast and southwest 

Missouri will also grow and evaluate them. Taste testing will occur at 

five or more venues. Field worthiness and consumer interest will be 

documented. Results will be given in January 2020 at the Great Plains 

Growers Conference, during the annual melon meeting in Southeast 

Missouri, and in extension publications and newsletters.

$7,973.00
168

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Investigating the Impacts of 

Molybdenum Deficiency on 

Grapevine Productivity

Researchers at the University of Missouri will study the effects of 

molybdenum applications on grapevine fruit development, 

phytohormones, and wine quality. Molybdenum deficiency in 

grapevines is poorly understood, yet potentially widespread, and 

preliminary results have shown that treating the deficiency may 

benefit the quality of the grapes and wine produced from them. Data 

collected in a severely molybdenum-deficient vineyard of Vitis 

interspecific hybrid cv. Vignoles in 2017 shows that after only a single 5 

percent molybdenum spray application to the vines before Veraison, 

the amount of molybdenum in the grape leaves rose from less than 1 

mg/g of leaf tissue to 6.5 mg/g in the treated leaves, while wine 

produced from the two treatments showed higher concentrations of 

linalool and beta-damascenone, two key aroma compounds. Our 

research seeks to both understand the molybdenum requirements of 

grapevines and develop management strategies that enable grape 

growers to improve fruit and wine quality.

$36,181.00

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Increasing Market Access 

for West Central Region 

Specialty Crop Farmers

The Osage Farmer Alliance will work together with the KC Food Hub to 

support other small to mid-sized farms in the West Central (WC) 

Region as they distribute more specialty crops to a growing audience 

of buyers seeking local food. This project will enhance the wholesale 

market for locally grown Specialty Crops in WC Missouri with a focus 

on Institutional buyers (especially schools); demonstrate two examples 

of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliant and Good 

Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified specialty crop farms that 

currently sell to the wholesale market; and encourage other specialty 

crop farmers to expand their growing operations and enter the 

wholesale market. These objectives will be accomplished through crop 

planning meetings with farmers and buyers, marketing to attract both 

farmers and buyers to work together in a distribution system, 

providing wholesale post-harvest crop storage and packing materials 

for beginning farmers, and offering two on-farm food safety and 

wholesale production field days. Expected outcomes include an 

increase in the number of farms in the WC region who are FSMA 

compliant, an increase in the volume of wholesale specialty crops 

being sold in the region, and an increase in the number of wholesale 

buyers purchasing local specialty crops.

$50,000.00
169

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31 Irrigation Systems Design 

and Management

The University of Missouri extension proposes to secure the rights to 

use and develop and distribute low-cost irrigation system designs for 

vegetable, berry, fruit, and nut production. A set of pre-designed 

irrigation systems will be developed and compiled for distribution to 

Missouri's small commercial horticultural producers. A series of 

"irrigation workshops" (a minimum of six) will be held throughout the 

state, targeting those areas with the highest concentrations of 

horticultural producers. These workshops will include modules on: 

overall farm water management, water demand by specialty crop, 

source water options, and types of systems, scaling systems to match 

need, system operation and maintenance, and other related topics by 

producer request. The irrigation workshops will be held throughout 

the year. The workshops held in the summer months will likely include 

irrigated farm tours and will be conducted by a team of instructors 

including the project PI, Agricultural Engineers, Agronomist, and 

Farmers.

$40,000.00
170

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Explore the Economic 

Opportunities and Health 

Benefits of the Elderberry in 

Missouri

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) will explore 

the novel uses of the elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) and its 

byproducts in cosmetic, personal care products, nutraceutical, and 

pharmaceutical industries by systematically examining their healthpromoting compounds. Tasks to be completed to address this research 

aim include: 1) conduct scientific research in characterizing the healthpromoting compounds in the elderberry and its byproducts (juices, 

stem barks, leaves, fruits, and root extracts) through modern mass 

spectrometry, global metabolomics analysis, and high-throughput 

screening bioassay protocol; 2) conduct a market research to identify 

potential uses and formulation of the identified health-promoting 

compounds from elderberry and byproducts for cosmetic, personal 

care products, and pharmaceutical industries; 3) conduct a national 

consumer survey to examine the niche market of the identified valueadded products; and 4) perform outreach activities to transfer the 

knowledge about new uses, and market potentials to local producers, 

harvesters, and industries. A market guide will be compiled to provide 

information on health-promoting compounds from elderberry and 

byproducts, their potential uses in producing value-added products in 

the industries; market price ranges for the identified value-added 

products; strategies in pricing elderberry byproducts; and a database 

of potential byproducts buyers.

$29,500.00
171

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31 Specialty Crop Education for 

Missouri Producers

The University of Missouri will conduct this project to educate Missouri 

agricultural producers about opportunities to adopt specialty crops 

and enhance their farms’ diversification. In Missouri, commodity cash 

crops dominate; however, specialty crops create opportunities for 

beginning and established producers to diversify their farms, pursue 

new markets, improve food access in their communities and earn 

premiums. Despite the potential, one factor has limited specialty crop 

adoption: a lack of good agronomic and decision-support information 

about these crops. For this project, the University of Missouri will 

develop and deliver specialty crop information to producers through 

Agriculture Opportunities in Missouri, an online educational platform 

that provides a suite of decision tools that producers can use to 

evaluate specialty crops. The platform helps Missouri producers assess 

alternative agriculture opportunities given a producer’s local market 

opportunities, level of expertise, financial position, and available 

agronomic and machinery resources. The project has three objectives. 

First, the project team will assess five specialty crops – asparagus, 

honeydew, onion, raspberry and strawberry – for Missouri production. 

Second, it will add educational materials for the five specialty crops to 

Agriculture Opportunities in Missouri. Third, it will enable the 

University of Missouri to conduct outreach-oriented educational 

programs to share the Agriculture Opportunities in Missouri platform 

with prospective users.

$27,624.00
172

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Establishing Missouri’s 

Pawpaw Industry: 

Horticulture, Market 

Research, and Outreach

The University of Missouri, Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) is pleased 

to submit a multi-faceted proposal to conduct research on the North 

American pawpaw (Asimina triloba). Pawpaw is a high-value native 

specialty fruit crop with multiple avenues for commercialization of 

value-added products. This project will analyze the production and 

marketing of pawpaw by conducting four research components: 

production analysis, market research, consumer research, and 

financial analysis. Project findings will be disseminated to Missouri 

farmers through outreach activities including workshops, field days, 

and webinars. Integrating project results will result in the development 

of an in-depth Missouri Pawpaw Production and Marketing Guide and 

Financial Decision Support Tool. This guide will support the adoption of 

pawpaw as a viable specialty crop while increasing market 

competitiveness.

$29,751.00

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31

Increasing Specialty Crop 

Sales and Education at 

Columbia’s Agriculture Park

Columbia Farmers Market (CFM) will develop a marketing campaign to 

promote locally grown specialty crops (SC) at the Farmers’ Market 

within Columbia’s new Agriculture Park. The CFM will coordinate with 

the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA) to deliver 

experiential education (fruit and vegetable tastings, cooking 

demonstrations, activities, and farm tours) to further residents’ 

knowledge of nutrition, cooking, availability, and purchase of SCs. 

Educating consumers on health benefits for themselves and their 

families is central to this program.

$50,000.00
173

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Missouri 

Department of 

Agriculture

$441,617.31 The Green Tomato Project

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County’s (CAASTLC) Seeds of 

Hope Farm works to expand the market for fresh produce to lowincome St. Louisans through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 

program, which creates a long-term relationship between consumer 

and grower and creates new market expectations and demand in lowincome food desert areas, to the benefit of the specialty crops market. 

The Green Tomato Project will promote the viability of the green 

tomato as a specialty crop in urban markets by increasing supplies to 

better meet a demand commonly voiced by our farm customers. In 

order to capture and develop this demand, we will disseminate recipes 

to customers and partner with University of Missouri-Extension staff to 

conduct food preservation classes for adults and a “Grow It, Try It, Like 

It” curriculum for kindergarteners. Green tomato recipes will be 

produced with contributions from nationally-renowned innovator in 

school nutrition Chef Robert Rusan, University of Missouri-Extension, 

CAASTLC staff, and CSA members. The Green Tomato Project will make 

the green tomato more versatile for the home cook, enhance the 

appeal and relevance of our CSA and partnering area food outlets, and 

further increase local consumption of fresh produce.

$25,000.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Expanding Montana's 

Emerging Hops Industry

“Growing Montana’s Emerging Hops Industry” is a project that 

Headwaters RC&D and Crooked Yard Hops has developed to 

successfully expand the opportunities for hops growers throughout the 

state of Montana. The project is looking to build off of the successful 

market-based research on hops conducted by the Montana Dept. of Ag 

in 2017/18 and expand the reach of their effort to on-the-ground 

producers throughout the state. This producer-driven project is 

designed to achieve several outcomes; increase production and sales 

of hops in Montana, increase grower knowledge of best practices of 

growing hops develop a brand for Montana hops so that they can 

reach new and expanding markets, and create marketing materials 

exclusively for Montana hops growers as well as develop an online 

presence. We will also continue working with the Dept. of Ag to host 

the statewide Montana Hops Summit, which will feature producers, 

soil-scientists and industry experts coming to Montana to share their 

knowledge. All these tasks will be solely-focused around achieving our 

outcomes and growing hops as an industry in the state of Montana.

$74,068.00
174

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$99,337.72

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Addressing Weed 

Management Challenges in 

Pea, Lentil, and Chickpea 

Production in Montana

This project is focused on diversifying weed control tools for 

sustainable and economic production of pea, lentil, and chickpea 

(specialty crops) in MT. This project will directly address those grower 

challenges by investigating new/underutilized, cost-effective, and 

diversified (based on multiple modes of action) weed control programs 

in pulse crops. The specific objectives are to: 1) Investigate fall-applied 

soil-residual herbicide programs for improved pulse crop safety, yield, 

and weed control, and 2) Investigate potential/new herbicide options 

(multiple modes of action) applied preplant/preemergence in pulse 

crops for improved crop safety, yield, and weed control. Multi-location 

trials in the pulse producing regions of MT will be conducted, with the 

goal to reduce the production risk and enhance the adoption of 

diversified weed control programs by MT pulse producers.

$32,850.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Pulse Inbound from Europe

To build off the success of the 2018 inbound trade mission, the 

Montana Department of Agriculture (MDOA) proposes a three-year 

approach to build strong, lasting business relationships with European 

pulse buyers. In 2019, MDOA will work with a contractor to take 

Montana pulse companies to meet with buyers from Europe that have 

come to Montana previously and make connections with new buyers 

and government officials to help expand sales and markets for 

Montana Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas. MDOA will work with Montana 

Pulse growers and processors to increase sales of pulses. In 2020, 

MDOA will bring buyers back to the U.S. to show improvements to 

infrastructure and continue to build relationships. In 2021, the 

Department will finish the trade missions with a final trip to Europe for 

pulse producers.

$92,987.00
175

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Developing Management 

Strategies for Pulse Insect 

Pest Complex in Montana

Montana growers’ interest to cultivate pulse crops has increased 

immensely in the recent years because of less profitable farming from 

cereal crops globally. Due to emerging pest problems in pulses, this 

project aims to develop pulse insect pests management strategies 

relevant for Montana growers. This research proposal will address: 1) 

which Montana pea varieties are resistant against pea leaf weevil, 2) 

validate economic threshold levels for pea leaf weevil, pea aphid and 

lygus bug, and 3) evaluate commercially available synthetic 

insecticides in conjunction with biopesticides for their potential to 

control pulse insect pests and their impact on natural enemies such as 

predators and parasitoids of pulse insect pests. The knowledge can 

lead to novel management strategies for sustainable pest 

management programs. This project will support sustainable pulse 

production in Montana and educate pulse growers on overall 

integrated management of pulse insect pests.

$106,662.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Foundational research for 

Specialty Crop Pollination 

Security - the (Wild) Bees of 

Montana

Native bees provide billions of dollars of pollination services annually 

and are well known to be under threat from a variety of established 

and unknown factors that have resulted in declines throughout the 

nation and beyond. This project will be aimed at documenting up to 

1,000 species of native bees that occur in the state, and providing 

taxonomic tools for their identification. This specific project will 

expand the collections of bees to areas of Montana under-represented 

in collections, resulting in resources for an MS thesis project and 

several publications by professional staff and collaborators that will 

produce taxonomic tools for several genera of Montana bees that are 

critical pollinators. In addition, local stakeholders will be trained in a 

taxonomic workshop, rural schools will be provided with the 

opportunity to participate in the discovery process and provided 

support for pollinator education.

$95,000.00
176

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Establishing Extrusion 

Services to Produce ValueAdded Specialty Crops

With consumers' growing demand for convenient, diverse, and 

nutritious foods, creating extruded foods with specialty crops such as 

whole-grain chickpea pasta and cherry puffs is a promising way to 

promote specialty crops. The goal of this project is to establish 

extrusion services for Montana farmers and food enterprises to 

develop and produce value-added specialty crop products. A research 

and production extruder will be acquired and made accessible to 

Montana specialty crop farmers and processors. The Food Product 

Development Lab at Montana State University will provide food 

science expertise to assist the users in developing and producing the 

extruded specialty crop products via a fee-for-service agreement. 

Acquiring the extruder will activate the first extrusion program of 

specialty crops in Montana, creating the opportunity to convert 

predominantly unprocessed specialty crops into high value and 

nutritious exports, and benefit Montana's value-added specialty crop 

industry.

$181,230.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Fruit Tree Research and 

Education

Across Montana, access to fresh fruit is very limited especially outside 

of the Bitterroot and Flathead Lake valleys. MSU Extension looks to 

continue the work we started in 2013 with tree fruits to help address 

this issue through research and education. We will continue to 

evaluate fruit tree cultivar performance at the 11 fruit tree research 

sites we established, and we will continue our work with Montana’s 

Heritage Orchards, identifying, preserving and propagating from 100 

plus year old trees. We will update our publication “Growing Fruit 

Trees in Montana” and develop a new publication on Montana’s 

Heritage Orchards. We will also conduct state-wide workshops on 

grafting, pruning and growing fruit trees.

$71,612.00
177

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Efficacy of AntiViral Agents 

in Honey bees

The long-term goal of this project is to reduce the number of virusassociated honey bee colony deaths by determining the efficacy and 

advancing the development, of promising antiviral treatments for 

honey bees. Honey bees are a specialty crop with a dual role in 

agriculture; they are producers of honey and essential pollinators of 

numerous crops. Montana is an important beekeeping state, which 

ranked 2nd in the US for honey production in 2013, valued at over $30 

million, and provided over 150,000 colonies for pollination services. 

We will further develop laboratory-based honey bee virus infection 

assays and evaluate and quantify the ability of five promising antiviral 

agents to reduce virus replication and mitigate illness and/or death of 

honey bees in laboratory-based infection assays, using techniques and 

methods we have optimized for quantifying honey bee virus infections 

(live bee studies, survival curves, and qPCR). Outcome: This project will 

result in an objective and quantitative assessment of the efficacy of 

putative antiviral compounds for honey bees.

$176,685.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Growing for Success

Growing for Success is a project of the National Center for Appropriate 

Technology (NCAT) to increase the sale of specialty crops to Montana 

institutions. This project builds on the Montana Harvest of the Month 

program (HOM) which showcases a different Montana grown food 

each month, providing an easy-to-use framework to start or grow farm 

to institution programs and providing resources and video and print 

educational materials. Producers will have new sales opportunities to 

institutional markets across the state as well as a new market study 

and stakeholder events.

$121,304.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Impacts of Integrated 

Livestock on Soil, Weed, & 

Food Safety Management 

for Specialty Crop 

Production

Fruit and vegetable production is on the rise throughout Western 

Montana, with a large portion of new and expanding growers utilizing 

organic practices. Our research will assess the food safety impacts on 

apples, grapes, and vegetable of different livestock management 

practices and will test strategies including cover cropping, tilling, and 

various time intervals to safely mitigate risks. We will also measure the 

effects of livestock integration on weed presence, soil health, and crop 

vigor to assist producers in choosing effective management strategies. 

Using our data and research, we will provide education for growers 

through workshops, demonstrations, and publications.

$167,431.00
178

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13 Root Rot Mitigation in 

Specialty Crops

This project by Montana State University focuses on dry pea 

production in Montana but will directly benefit lentil, chickpea and dry 

bean production since dry peas are often grown in rotation with these 

crops. Aphanomyces root rot is a major threat to the pulse crop 

industry and has driven dry pea acreage out of areas in Canada and 

North Dakota. Once Aphanomyces is established in a field, the rotation 

interval for dry pea is 8-20 years, which is not sustainable for the 

industry. This project will continue to validate soil bioassays and 

molecular methods of detection of the pathogen Aphanomyces 

eutiches causing root rot in specialty crops, continue validation of a 

soil bioassay for Aphanomyces, and develop information on rotational 

options for growers to mitigate the risk of Aphanomyces. With 

information generated from this project, farmers will be able to 

mitigate their risk of soilborne root rots through the adoption of 

cultural practices including crop rotation, sanitation of equipment, 

seed treatment fungicides, and variety selection.

$59,187.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Control of Root Rot of Field 

Pea Caused By Fusarium 

Avenaceum From diseased 

Grain

In 2016, Fusarium avenaceum, the primary species causing severe root 

rot on pea, was identified as a major component of the Fusarium head 

blight (FHB; also known as scab) disease complex on cereals in 

Montana. This finding suggests that lighter weight diseased kernels, 

blown from the combine during harvest, may substantially increase 

Fusarium root rot incidence in pulse fields following a FHB epidemic. 

The purpose of the proposed two year project, is to examine the 

potential of these cereal isolates to cause root rots of pulses and 

evaluate the efficacy of seed treatments. Isolates will be tested in the 

greenhouse, alongside F. avenaceum collected from diseased pea 

plants, to measure their effect on root rot severity. Field experiments 

will also be performed to determine the amount of pathogen infested 

grain required to impact yield and test various seed treatments for the 

ability to control F. avenaceum. Results from this work will help 

improve disease management recommendations for pulse crops and 

give farmers more options in controlling root rot diseases.

$49,654.00
179

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Improving Cold Injury and 

Pest Management in Apple 

Production: Risk and 

Predictive Model 

Assessment

Montana State University’s Western Agriculture Research Center 

(WARC) in Corvallis is proposing a project to reduce the impacts of 

fundamental threats to apple production in Montana, specifically frost 

damage to blooms, fire blight, and codling moth. Project objectives are 

two-fold: objective one will establish a framework to identify suitable 

production regions in Montana by integrating historical weather data 

with available apple cultivar-specific chilling and bud-break heat 

requirements; objective two will improve prediction and management 

of fire blight and codling moth, and frost risk during bloom time, by 

establishing collaborations and assessing methods for site-specific, real 

time risk, utilizing on-orchard weather stations and model-based 

monitoring.

$167,845.00

Montana 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,582,408.13

Growing the Agritourism 

Business in Montana: Insight 

From Experts

"Growing the Agritourism Business in Montana: Insight from Experts" 

is a collaborative project by faculty and communications professionals 

at Montana State University (MSU). The investigators will develop an 

innovative educational campaign for prospective and emerging 

operators of specialty crops agritourism businesses in Montana, 

providing these farm businesses with critical information and lessonslearned perspectives for increasing their success in Montana's nascent 

but growing agritourism industry. The educational platform will consist 

of a series of podcasts, with each episode focusing on a different facet 

of agritourism—production, management, marketing, economics, legal 

aspects, among others. A complementary website to host the podcast 

series and informational resources will significantly aid in expediting 

the development of a successful agritourism industry in Montana. This 

project will use a portfolio of marketing strategies—ranging from 

traditional press releases to targeted social media strategies—to 

maximize reach across varying demographic and socioeconomic 

groups. By tracking analytics, the project will provide insights about 

which communications and marketing strategies are most effective.

$83,983.00
180

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Japanese Beetle Survey

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) proposes a 

coordinated, comprehensive survey to document the presence or 

absence of Japanese Beetle in Nebraska and to provide certification to 

facilitate out-of-state shipments of Nebraska grown nursery stock. This 

survey will assist in keeping interstate and international markets open 

to Nebraska nursery stock. The monitoring will confirm the status of 

the pest in our state to determine what steps, if any, are necessary to 

certify nursery stock. Project activities include setting, monitoring and 

retrieving approximately 175 Japanese Beetle traps statewide, 

monitoring treatment of nursery stock for Japanese Beetle, and 

conducting inspections of facilities and product as part of the 

certification process.

$36,600.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$55,656.72

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Potato Cyst Nematode 

Survey

This project is designed to maintain Nebraska’s Potato Cyst Nematode 

(PCN) pest-free status by requiring official soil surveys of potato fields 

to confirm the presence or absence of PCN in Nebraska. Should PCN be 

found, survey data could be used to determine the extent of the 

infestation and potentially mitigate the impact on trade. The overall 

goal of the project is to facilitate trade of Nebraska grown potatoes on 

the international market, by documenting Nebraska’s freedom from 

PCN. The goal will be met by conducting soil sample surveys of 20% of 

seed potato and 2% of commercial potato production fields (with the 

focus on known international shippers).

$41,615.00
181

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Columbia Root-Knott 

Nematode Survey

This project is designed to maintain Nebraska’s Columbia Root Knot 

Nematode (CRKN) pest-free status by conducting comprehensive soil 

surveying throughout Nebraska to confirm the presence or absence of 

CRKN in Nebraska. In order to maintain the pest free status of 

Nebraska, it is necessary to conduct soil surveys throughout the state. 

The results of these surveys would be used to confirm the presence or 

absence of CRKN. This allows for certification of products, like 

potatoes and nursery stock, for international trade. Should CRKN be 

found during these surveys, the information could be used to 

determine the extent of the infestation, and potentially mitigate the 

impact on trade. Nebraska currently has a CRKN state exterior 

quarantine in place to protect the state from the introduction of this 

pest. Enforcement of the existing exterior quarantine on CRKN is vital 

to protecting the state from the introduction of this pest.

$24,300.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Grafting to Delay Spring Bud 

Break for Nebraska Wine 

Grapes

The University of Nebraska Viticulture Program will use the technique 

of grafting of an early bud breaking grape cultivar (scion) onto a 

rootstock of a grape cultivar that breaks winter dormancy later in the 

spring season. Delaying bud break by as little as 3 to 4 days could 

mean the difference between a productive year and a nonproductive 

year. If successful, this grafting technique will have an immediate and 

positive impact on the grape and wine industry in not only Nebraska, 

but everywhere spring frost and freeze events are an issue.

$74,309.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Development of Optimal 

Hop Drying Techniques for 

Nebraska

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's (UNL) Industrial Agricultural 

Product Center in Biological System Engineering (IAPC) will conduct a 

series of experiments to determine the optimal drying conditions for 

hop producers in the state. The results will be communicated by 

Nebraska Extension to the state's hop growers through the 

development of a hop quality and safety manual, specialized trainings 

and workshops, related conferences, publications, and dissemination 

through related organizations such as the Nebraska Hop Growers 

Association.

$116,259.00
182

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Thousand Cankers Disease 

of Walnut Survey

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will conduct a survey 

for walnut twig beetle across the state and confirm compliance with 

the Nebraska Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) of walnut quarantine 

through inspections. The results of this survey will be used to confirm 

the presence or absence of TCD in the state. This will allow for 

movement of products, like nursery stock and scion wood, out-ofstate. Should TCD be found during this survey, the information could 

be used to determine the extent of the infestation, and potentially 

mitigate the impact on trade.

$26,450.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Herbicide Drift in Specialty 

Crops: Injury Yield Loss, and 

Residue Persistence

This partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) will 

enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Nebraska through 

research on off-target crop injury from dicamba and 2,4-D choline + 

glyphosate drift. Project results will increase knowledge among 

farmers in Nebraska about the potential economic consequences of 

herbicide drift in specialty crops.

$79,854.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Maximize Hop Yields by 

Modeling Plant Growth

University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) researchers will implement 

Arable Mark P001 sensors at five distinct hop production sites in 

eastern Nebraska to collect environment and hop growth data over 

three growing seasons. Growth potential models will be developed 

from the data. The growth models will provide hop producers 

information on pruning, training, and harvest dates, as influenced by 

environmental factors, which are important factors for maximizing 

yields.

$45,900.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Response of Chickpea and 

Dry Yellow Field Pea to 

Inoculum, Fungicide, and 

Endomycorrhizal Fungi

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) will conduct an experiment 

with the primary objective to evaluate different types of inoculum 

from different origins to determine which inoculum is best suited for 

use in western Nebraska. The secondary objective is to evaluate other 

seed treatments, such as fungicides and endomycorrhizal fungi, to 

identify if yields can be further enhanced when used alone or when 

paired with an appropriate inoculum. These results will provide 

guidance to producers in selecting the best inoculum practices for their 

operation.

$25,281.00
183

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Slow Darkening Pinto Bean 

Winter Seed Increase in 

New Zealand

The U.S. dry bean industry is demanding slow darkening pinto 

cultivars. Therefore, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s (UNL) Dry 

Bean Breeding Program is proposing to increase the seed of promising 

slow darkening pinto beans in winter nurseries in New Zealand. These 

bean lines have the potential to be released as cultivars for western 

Nebraska based on their performance in previous trials. Elite slow 

darkening pinto beans with high yield potential, multiple disease 

resistance, and broad adaptation will be multiplied in New Zealand 

during the U.S. winter. During the subsequent U.S. growing season, the 

increased seed will be tested in growers’ fields using the “Mother and 

Baby” Trials scheme. The increased lines will be compared to standard 

pinto beans and commercial slow darkening beans. Our goal is to 

release at least one slow darkening pinto bean cultivar that is well 

adapted to western Nebraska growing conditions.

$60,050.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Identifying Cowpea Variety 

with High Yield, Quality and 

Disease Resistance for 

Western Nebraska

The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center 

(PREC) will identify cowpea varieties adaptable to western Nebraska’s 

production environment. Replicated yield trials will be conducted using 

approximately 10-20 varieties in three western Nebraska counties. 

PREC will collect data on flowering, foliar diseases, plant height,

maturity and seed yield. Disease data will be collected in cowpea 

samples and production information from at least five cowpea 

producers in Nebraska. In collaboration with a local cowpea marketing 

company, cowpea seed from the variety trials and commercial 

production will be assessed for quality and compared with an industry 

standard. Research results and educational programming will provide 

valuable decision-making information for growers interested in this 

specialty crop.

$19,440.00
184

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Evaluation of Rows Spacing 

and Plant Population 

Impacts on Dry Bean Direct 

Harvest, and Weed 

Suppression

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) will establish a series of 

field studies over three years to evaluate optimal row spacings and 

planting populations to maximize dry bean yield and quality, facilitate 

direct harvest, and improve weed suppression. A trial will be 

established over two years at PREC to determine optimal dry bean 

populations at a variety of row spaces. Ideal plant population has been 

well characterized for 30” and 22” row spacings. Therefore, we are 

proposing to use a 22” row spacing as the upper “control” spacing and 

compare the 22” spacing to 15” and 10”. Within each of the three-row 

spacings, four plant populations will be used: 115,000, 100,000, 

85,000, and 70,000 plants per acre.

$25,920.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63

Snack Time with Specialty 

Crops: Increasing Specialty 

Crop Consumption Through 

Access and Tastings at 

Schools

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s (UNL) Buy Fresh Buy Local 

(BFBL) Program proposes to utilize grant funds to increase 

consumption of specialty crops by distributing specialty crops at 

established mobile food pantries at Lincoln schools, provide 

educational materials to highlight specialty crops, and offer free food 

tastings for children to sample. In order to increase consumption of 

specialty crops and make a wider impact, this project combines access 

with education by providing healthy snack ideas, informational 

materials and tastings prepared by a local chef. The sampling of 

specialty crops provides a visceral experience that shows students new 

and exciting ways to consume these healthy snacks.

$39,363.00

Nebraska State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$696,677.63 Hop Cultivar Performance 

Evaluation Phase 2

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s (UNL) Institute of Agriculture 

and Natural Resources will evaluate the quality of eight commercial 

hops cultivars at four regional locations across the state and measure 

cultivar productivity to determine the potential for commercial 

production of this specialty crop. Measurements will include growth 

rate, flower timing, harvest cone weight, and analytical analysis of 

alpha and beta acid content for each cultivar. Research results and 

educational programming will provide valuable decision-making 

information for growers interested in this specialty crop.

$24,703.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$23,589.17
185

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17

Fallon Food Hub Cooperative - Farm Fan 

Farmers Market Promotion 

Program

The purpose of the Fallon Food Hub’s Farm Fan Farmers Market 

Promotion Program is to facilitate a direct connection between our 

partner farms and customers attending farmers markets throughout 

West Central Nevada. Through a subscription-based text message 

platform, subscribers will be sent timely messages reminding them of 

farmers markets in the area, the partner farms who will be in 

attendance, and the specialty crops that will be available for purchase.

$6,150.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17

Fallon Food Hub Cooperative – Specialty Crop 

Promotional Videos

The purpose of the Fallon Food Hub Co-operative’s Specialty Crop 

Promotional Video project is to produce a series of short informational 

videos about specialty crops raised by our partner farms in Churchill 

County. These videos will serve as both an avenue for education of 

consumers about local agriculture, and as a promotional tool for 

increasing specialty crop sales by area producers.

$10,195.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17 GBC Specialty Crop 

Marketing Initiative

Great Basin College will enhance the competitiveness of specialty 

crops through increased sales by implementing the GBC Specialty Crop 

Marketing Initiative project. GBC’s Management and Marketing 

instructor will oversee a structured student internship each summer 

term that will consist of creating and putting into action a 

comprehensive marketing plan for each growing season for 2019, 2020 

and 2021 which will focus on all the specialty crops being grown and 

offered for sale in Elko County including the Elko, Spring Creek, 

Lamoille and Wells areas.

$24,000.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17

Education, Marketing & 

Promotion of Lavender &

Honey

This project of Western Nevada College will provide promotion and 

education for regional lavender and honey producers. The project 

includes support to produce the Sierra Nevada Lavender & Honey 

Festival, a regional agritourism event, and funding for a commercial 

lavender workshop to educate producers.

$14,271.00
186

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17

NevadaGrown Feasibility 

Study for Processing, 

Aggregation & Distribution 

of Specialty Crops

This project of Nevada Grown will be to conduct a feasibility study to 

be used as a guide to find solutions to the challenges of food 

processing, aggregation and distribution faced by Nevada’s specialty 

crop producers. The completed study will be made available to 

industry stakeholders and to the public who can use this information 

to improve systems while managing financial risks. The project will 

include an observation period after the study to track its successes and 

to collaborate with interested stakeholders to develop improvements, 

projects and partnerships.

$20,900.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17 Prevention Through 

Nutrition

Youth Outdoor Unity (YOU) will ignite a passion amongst children that 

fuels a new outlook on the endless possibilities of careers that lend to 

sustainable living through agriculture with the implementation of a 

Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics program 

geared at exposing youth to specialty crops. Prevention Through 

Nutrition will inspire our youth to focus on: 1) Learning to grow and 

consume healthy specialty crops; 2) Acquiring and maintaining healthy 

lifestyles that prevent youth obesity and chronic illness; 3) Using 

creative skills to express beauty and love of nature and specialty crops; 

and 4) Building leadership skills that will promote specialty crops.

$23,080.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17 Reno Garlic Fest 2019

Reno Garlic Fest 2019 will be a collaborative effort between Be the 

Change Project, Local Food Network and Reno Food Systems (RFS). RFS 

has the primary leadership role for the 2018 (previously funded) event 

and will be leading the event for the 2019 and subsequent year events. 

All organizations have 501c3 nonprofit status and are passionately 

invested in Northern Nevada’s local food efforts.

$11,500.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17 Reno Food System ‘Farm 

Parks’ Program - Phase II

The ‘Farm Park’ project serves to grow the next generation of 

conscientious farmers, innovative educators, and sensible leaders who 

will collectively push the pendulum of Northern Nevada food 

production. Our farm and project managers will provide thorough and 

intensive hands-on training through collaborative internships as well as 

a continuing education program via our “Farm Parks” program based 

in Reno, Nevada. A farm park is simply a farm on public park property.

$38,500.00
187

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17

Garden Farms Foundation 

specialty crop curriculum fit 

to STEAM

Garden Farms Foundation will develop a STEAM based curriculum 

based on nation-wide garden education research, focusing on 

sustainable and regenerative practices suitable to our desert climate. 

This curriculum will be available to all schools with a Garden Farms 

outdoor garden classroom, accompanied by a curriculum textbook as 

well as teacher training provided by Garden Farms Foundation’s 

monthly seminars.

$14,666.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17 Growing NV - Reno, NV

The NEON agency is seeking to enhance the competitiveness of 

specialty crops by implementing Growing NV - a local food week 

celebration of specialty crops based in Reno, Nevada. The proposed 

events will be opportunities for NV residents to meet local specialty 

crop producers, eat locally grown specialty crops, enjoy locally grown 

flowers, and connect with local food enthusiasts all with the main goal 

of not only understanding and appreciating the value and benefits of 

buying our region’s specialty crops, but by also experiencing them first 

hand.

$25,978.00

Nevada 

Department of 

Agriculture

$294,861.17

Encouraging Specialty Crop 

Expansion, Diversification, 

and New Production 

through Specialized 

Research, Education and 

Technical Assistance

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Plant Industry Division 

will coordinate with growers to assess production limitations, ability to 

diversify, interest in expansion, and new farmer challenges. This 

project seeks to survey producers, wholesalers, and buyers to 

understand the current limitations (Phase 1) within the industry and 

provide education and tools (Phase 2) based on phase 1 findings to 

enhance specialty crop production throughout the state. The final 

phase of the project will be to assess the failures and successes of this 

project and publish a final report cataloging the duties performed and 

provide the resources necessary to further this industry. In addition, 

phase 3 will also provide education and technical assistance to growers 

to enhance production and Nevada specialty crop availability.

$82,031.00
188

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42

Project 6: Buy New 

Hampshire Specialty Crops 

Social Media Video 

Campaign in Partnership 

with NH Division of Travel & 

Tourism Development

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food 

(NHDAMF) will continue a successful partnership with the NH Division 

of Travel & Tourism Development to promote the purchase of local 

New Hampshire Specialty Crops by visitors to New Hampshire from 

neighboring states and regions. This project will focus on encouraging 

out of state visitors to purchase New Hampshire Specialty Crops and 

visit these farms. This will be accomplished through a social media 

campaign that will focus on the creation and airing of short format 

video/animation. The campaign will promote New Hampshire specialty 

crops including vegetables, fruits, flowers/plants, maple, honey, wine, 

and Christmas trees using the video format to inform viewers about 

these crops, how to use them and where to get them.

$90,201.72

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42

Project 3: BASES: Building 

Appropriately-Scaled 

Equipment Skills for New 

Hampshire Specialty Crop 

Growers

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will enhance 

specialty crop production in New Hampshire by educating growers 

about field equipment that is designed for small farms. Through handson trainings, field days, and video resources, we will provide specialty 

crop growers with a greater capacity to implement more sustainable 

farming practices and systems. Some of the knowledge growers will 

take away includes: financial considerations, access to appropriate 

equipment, proper use and safety, and routine maintenance of each 

piece of equipment.

$27,798.22

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42 Project 1: Expanding the 

Maple Experience Program

The New Hampshire Maple Museum, a not-for-profit subgroup of the 

New Hampshire Maple Producer’s Association (NHMPA) in partnership 

with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests at the 

Rock’s, will expand the New Hampshire Maple Experience program to 

broadly benefit the maple sugaring industry in the state. Growing the 

educational program will be accomplished by updating and improving 

marketing related to the New Hampshire Maple Experience, and by 

the addition of a new position (staffed by two individuals) to be 

present at the site seven days a week from July 1st through Columbus 

Day each year.

$35,000.00
189

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42 Project 2: Plant Something 

NH

Plant Something NH is a program of the New Hampshire Plant Growers 

Association (NHPGA), with a mission to promote public awareness of 

the health, environmental and economic benefits of plants to increase 

consumer support of local growers, nurseries, garden centers, 

landscapers, and affiliated trades. The work of public education and 

building public awareness will include a variety of promotions 

including public radio, social media, and public relations. In addition, a 

consumer focused seasonal eNewsletter was introduced, with the 

goals of: improved strategy, better understanding/serving our 

audiences, industry and consumer surveys are also currently in 

development.

$53,000.00

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42 Project 4: Harvesting A 

Profit

Small and Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire has put together 

several projects with top industry leaders to provide New Hampshire’s 

specialty crop growers with the latest and most up to date information 

on crop management. Today, as well as tomorrow, the most important 

piece of farm equipment is knowledge. Understanding complex 

situations or production and marketing problems will be a key to 

staying in business year after year. In this grant we are offering the 

newest technology to our members and at the same time we are 

benefiting from the workshops and trainings as an organization. 

Farmers in general are busy people, and they are more likely to attend 

educational trainings from their homes. The technology is interactive 

just like in a classroom, and they can receive the same education for 

most trainings by participating in a webinar.

$24,963.28

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42

Project 5: Farm Energy 

Innovation Program for 

Enhanced Fruit and 

Vegetable Production in 

Merrimack County, NH

The Merrimack County Conservation District proposes to assist fruit 

and vegetable producers in Merrimack County, NH, in reducing energy 

use through practice changes, efficiency, and use of low-cost 

renewables to reduce costs, increase production, and improve profits 

to make Merrimack County's specialty crop producers more 

sustainable while increasing the availability of locally produced fruits 

and vegetables year-round. This project will use educational outreach 

programs, energy assessments, demonstration sites throughout the 

county, and written and video materials to showcase energy 

innovation.

$42,130.00
190

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Hampshire 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Markets and Food

$297,744.42 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$23,814.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Evaluation of the Production 

Marketing and Storage of 

Yacon: a Potential Specialty 

Crop for New Jersey 

Farmers

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a crop grown in South America for 

its sweet tasting edible tuber. The health and nutritional benefits of 

yacon have received media attention creating interest in growing and 

marketing yacon as a specialty crop in New Jersey [Stabiner, K. (2017, 

July 27) “Forecasting the Next Food Fad: Are ‘Kohlrabi’ and ‘Yacon’ the 

Next Kale?” Wall Street Journal retrieved from https://www.wsj.com]. 

Until recently there was very little information on yacon’s cultural 

requirements, yield, storage requirements and market potential in 

New Jersey. Field research trials will examine the growth, yield, tuber 

quality of six cultivars of yacon in southern and northern Jersey. Postharvest trials will be conducted to determine the influence of semipermeable membranes on the shelf-life and nutritional components of 

yacon tubers and specifically one of the main beneficial nutritional 

components of yacon are fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Yacon tubers 

will be shared with a Rutgers University chef for flavor evaluations and 

the development of recipes to assist with the marketing of yacon. 

Grower collaborators will be enlisted to conduct on farm trials of 

yacon and examine the market for yacon with their customers.

$39,813.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Identifying the Insect Vector 

for Grapevine Red Blotch in 

New Jersey

Winemaking and grape growing are a rapidly expanding industry in 

New Jersey valued at >$30 million annually. A 2015-2016 survey 

identified a critical emerging disease in NJ, grapevine red blotch virus, 

which decreases wine quality and yield. Grapevine red blotch virus 

(GRBaV) is present on all 8 vineyards surveyed and increased from an 

average of 6% incidence to 56%. Grapevine red blotch virus causes 

reddening of the leaves and significantly reduces the quality of the 

grapes and wine by reducing the amount of available sugars. The only 

current management is to rogue out infected vines and replant with 

clean material - a costly process that delay yields for approximately 3 

years and does not guarantee the transmission cycle will stop. The 

objective of our work is to identify treehopper species associated with 

NJ vineyards, identify species infected with GRBaV, and determine 

vector competency in greenhouse studies.

$39,910.00
191

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Know Your Farmer, Know 

Your Food:

Connecting Consumers with 

New Jersey Potato Growers

The Jersey Fresh program is one of the longest standing and bestknown local produce marketing campaigns in the nation. The goal of 

this project is to increase in the volume of Jersey Fresh branded 

potatoes sold by embracing the slogans “Know Your Farmer, Know 

Your Food” and “Locally Grown.” Developing a connection between 

consumers and their local farmers will promote sales of local potatoes 

by helping people to feel safe and confident in the quality of the 

potatoes they are purchasing. Point of purchase materials that feature 

the eleven NJ potato farm families will be created to tell the story of 

the New Jersey potato farmer. These materials will be distributed to 

targeted stores over two years with the goal of significantly increasing 

“Jersey Fresh” potato sales. We will be designing a web site to allow 

consumers to further connect with the growers that are producing 

potatoes. The food service area has been previously untapped for 

locally grown Jersey Fresh potatoes. Continuing with our theme, we 

plan on targeting this group to further expand sales of Jersey Fresh 

potatoes.

$29,354.00
192

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Converting Fine Wine 

Drinkers into New Jersey 

Wine Drinkers

While New Jersey wines are being recognized nationally for their

excellence in renowned wine competitions and the industry has seen 

tremendous growth with over 50 licensed wineries now operating in 

the state, drinkers of fine wine have not embraced the fruits of Garden 

State vineyards largely because they have not been exposed to these 

wines. 

Now, to reach the fine wine connoisseur, the GSWGA proposes a 

targeted marketing campaign to reach and convert these wine 

aficionados to try New Jersey wines. The GSWGA requests funding to 

create a marketing platform that will reach this targeted audience 

through video development, ad design and special online web and ad 

creative. A production crew will be retained to develop video 

programming specific to this audience. The GSWGA will also partner 

with media outlets like Wine Enthusiast to develop special co-branded 

promotional websites and digital marketing outreach to these fine 

wine consumers. We will also develop print ads promoting the fine 

wines of New Jersey that will appear in magazines such as Wine 

Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit 

Magazine, among others.

$40,000.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Bring Awareness to “Jersey 

Fruit” Family Farms and 

Local Specialty Crops 

Through Direct to Consumer 

and Industry Marketing and 

Advertising Initiatives

The purpose of this project is to enhance the visibility and image of our 

Jersey Fruit Cooperative family run farms through a multipronged 

advertising approach to reach consumers and retailers/suppliers. 

Marketing toward consumers will highlight our farms “local” and 

“sustainable” platforms while industry marketing will be directed 

toward product safety and quality. Consumers are consistently 

demanding local produce which is sustainably grown by small family 

farmers. Educating consumers and suppliers through marketing and 

advertising is the perfect way to get our story out and bring attention 

to specialty crops grown in New Jersey. Yearly sales records will be 

compared to verify if our marketing campaign is reaching our intended 

audience.

$40,000.00
193

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Marketing Specialty Crops 

Through Youth Nutrition 

Outreach

The New Jersey Agricultural Society (NJAS) will enhance the 

competitiveness of specialty crops by teaching preschool and 

elementary school students to eat more fruits and vegetables through 

school garden education. Research studies have shown that when 

students grow fruits and vegetables in a school garden and eat those 

fruits and vegetables at school, they are both more likely to try new 

types of fresh produce and to include more fresh produce regularly in 

their diets. Therefore, school gardening is an excellent way to expose 

children to specialty crops and to influence them to regularly eat more 

specialty crops. We propose to establish 15 new preschool and 

elementary school gardens over three years and educate teachers 

about the research connecting school gardens and children’s increased 

consumption of fresh produce. We will also compile child-friendly 

recipes for the cool-season vegetables typically grown while school is 

in session. These recipes, printed on laminated cards, will be 

distributed to teachers at approximately 50 schools in the LTG 

program and will be posted on the NJAS website.

$36,489.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90 Advertising Jersey Fresh 

Blueberries Project - 2019

New Jersey remains in the nation’s top 5 states for blueberry 

production. In 2016, New Jersey blueberry growers produced over 43 

million pounds of blueberries at a total value of $59 million. Each 

year, acreage devoted to cultivated blueberries continues to increase, 

both domestically and internationally. This increase in competition has 

made it necessary for the New Jersey Blueberry Growers Association 

to find ways to maintain existing market share, as well as increase 

demand in new markets. We believe that given our resources, a radio 

campaign would maximize our assets most efficiently, and enable us in 

reaching consumers throughout our marketing area. The New Jersey 

Blueberry Growers Association plans to use their grant in a consumeroriented radio campaign designed to promote New Jersey produced 

blueberries. The campaign would air during peak production weeks 

and will broadcast in markets throughout the Northeastern Seaboard. 

The purpose of these ads will be to differentiate New Jersey 

blueberries to the consumer as locally grown and promote them as a 

nutritious alternative in their diets.

$40,000.00
194

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90 Marketing Jersey Fresh and 

Local Peaches

For the past 68 years, the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council 

(NJPPC) has conducted successful and changing promotional programs 

for the orderly marketing of the New Jersey peach crop. The focus of 

this project is to have a media and promotional presence in the New 

Jersey metropolitan area including Philadelphia and New York/New 

England and possibly beyond this geographical territory. There are 

more than enough consumers in New Jersey to utilize the entire New 

Jersey peach crop but not enough informed buyers to know why they 

should buy and utilize New Jersey peaches over competing produce 

items, and peaches and nectarines from other production areas. Focus 

will be on social media, consumer and trade advertising, medial 

releases and relationships, retail promotions, and research.

$40,000.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Increasing Sales of Plants 

and Flowers in New Jersey 

through the ‘Plant 

Something’ Marketing 

Program

The New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association seeks to further 

develop a Plant Something Campaign started using SCBG funds 

awarded in FY2015. We hope to utilize the Plant Something brandawareness to help inform the public on not only the benefits of 

planting, but the need to plant the “right something” and not to 

consider planting invasive species. Additionally, this campaign can be 

used to inform and educate the public on the devastating issues that 

threaten our environment, such as spotted lanternfly and the emerald 

ash borer. We will be able to use the already-successful Plant 

Something Campaign to educate and inform the consumer on these, 

other emerging issues.

$30,000.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Project to maximize the 

effectiveness of the Jersey 

Fresh advertising program in 

2019 and beyond

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is seeking to continue to 

successfully add value to Specialty Crops produced in the State of New 

Jersey through the means of branding products as locally grown to 

increase their demand and value. The purpose of this project is to 

increase the overall effectiveness of the marketing of all specialty 

crops in New Jersey through the continuation of the proven successful 

efforts of the Jersey Fresh program. This will be accomplished using 

social media and other online promotion, print, radio, point of sale and 

outdoor advertising. Increased marketing effectiveness is intended to 

increase product demand, thereby increasing the income of specialty 

crop growers in New Jersey.

$368,168.00
195

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90

Summer and Fall Strawberry 

Production for NJ Using the 

Long-day Cultivar ‘Albion

Local strawberries are available in New Jersey for a short time in late 

spring (early May through mid-June) from seasonal fruiting, short day

(SD) cultivars. Interest in off-season strawberry production has 

increased, however success in New Jersey has been limited and 

inconsistent. The use of inappropriate cultivars and inadequate 

preparation of plant material before field planting have led to poor 

production. Off-season field production with long-day (LD) cultivars 

(August through November) without high tunnels or greenhouses is 

now possible using easily conditioned plants. Productivity of the longday cultivar ‘Albion’ is possible from August through November in a 

plasticulture system utilizing plants conditioned with long days and 

elevated N. Productivity of this newly developed strawberry 

production system will be demonstrated on several NJ farms. Farmers 

and consumers will evaluate fruit quality. Project results will be 

publicized through extension bulletins, trade journals, and local and 

regional grower’s meetings.

$38,515.00

New Jersey 

Department of 

Agriculture

$798,279.90 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$55,023.00

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$48,876.65

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15 Developing The New Mexico 

Cider Industry

New Mexico Wine is seeking funding to coordinate activities among 

local growers, cider producers, winemakers and brewers to develop 

programs that will increase the volume and sale of New Mexico cider 

by 50%. Using our local wine and craft brewing industries as models 

for performance, New Mexico Cider will help build awareness and 

market share for the industry. The project will include a unique and 

compelling branding strategy, online and social media strategy, new 

consumer events, media outreach and education for New Mexico cider 

producers and growers.

$81,100.00
196

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15 Jujube Cultivar Trials and 

Marketing in New Mexico

The New Mexico State University Sustainable Agriculture Science 

Center will utilize the three established jujube cultivar trial sites and 

continue the cultivar evaluation at the NMSU Alcalde, Los Lunas and 

Leyendecker Centers, recommend cultivars to growers, and market 

and promote jujubes to the public. We will disseminate the results to 

stakeholders through workshops and Field Days.

$22,735.00

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15

Enhancing New Mexico 

specialty Crops Sales 

Through Value Chain 

Coordination

This three-year project of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing 

Association will significantly increase specialty

crop sales within New Mexico’s wholesale supply chain—especially at 

retail grocery locations—by improving value chain coordination 

including producer/distributor relationships, price, transport of goods, 

communications, and retail engagement of consumers. A 

complementary outcome of the project involves increasing food safety 

knowledge among producers who are building their capacity to sell 

wholesale.

$166,566.00

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15 The Southwest New Mexico 

Food Hub Export Initiative

The National Center for Frontier Communities will increase market 

opportunities for remote southwest New Mexico specialty crop 

producers by launching a regional food hub to market and distributing 

their products to nearby metro areas, such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe, 

Las Cruces and Tucson. This service will reduce the burden of 

remoteness for local growers and help weave them into the larger 

fabric of the New Mexican food system. Additionally, this project will 

help bridge the knowledge gap between remote producers and urban 

markets and help level the playing field for producers of specialty 

crops in southwest New Mexico by providing access to the latest 

information on marketing, food safety, certifications and market 

trends that can be otherwise difficult to access outside metro areas.

$75,365.00

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15

Hard Apple Cider Production 

& Promotion in Central New 

Mexico

To help revitalize interest in apple orchards, Bluefly Farms will provide 

harvesting, storage, pressing, and transportation services to 

participating orchards in Central New Mexico. The project will help 

develop a new revenue outlet for previously non-marketable apples. 

The apples will be pressed into fresh cider that will be sold to New 

Mexico-based hard cider producers and the resulting hard cider 

products and story will be promoted in collaboration with New Mexico 

Wine.

$48,750.00
197

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15

Ensuring Safe and 

Sustainable Use of a New 

Soil-Applied Herbicide for 

Chile Pepper Production

New Mexico State University (NMSU) will expand weed control options 

available to Chile farmers by conducting studies and outreach activities 

that support a Special Local Need registration for post-direct 

applications (applied after crop emergence, directed to soil) of 

flumioxazin in Chile. Field studies will be conducted at two NMSU 

research farms during each of two years. At each site-year, Chile will 

be produced with flumioxazin applied in manners that were previously 

determined to minimize risk of visible crop injury and yield loss. Chile 

fruits will then be harvested and analyzed for flumioxazin residues. 

Conditions for improving the safety and efficacy of soil-applied 

herbicides will be presented to chile farmers at two NMSU farm field 

days and two grower association meetings. Each presentation will 

feature demonstrations specifically designed to address the challenges 

of using soil-applied herbicides in chile. Each presentation will utilize 

pre-then-post-tests that will determine changes in farmer knowledge 

and probabilities of implementing specific strategies. By developing 

and teaching effective weed control technologies that are less 

expensive than hand hoeing, this project will improve the economic 

sustainability of chile farms in

New Mexico.

$36,177.20

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15

National Retail and 

Distributor Educational 

Workshops Featuring New 

Mexico Green Chile

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) staff will coordinate 

with retailers, culinary professionals, growers, processors, and other 

professionals to plan and execute educational workshops on state, 

regional, and national levels. The venues will include retail 

supermarkets, distribution centers, and others. The workshops will 

include educational trainings, roasting and sampling segments, cross 

merchandising tips, preparation and access discussions. A social media 

component will be used to increase traction and awareness of New 

Mexico green chile including media (videos, graphics, etc.) that can act 

as teaching aids, event announcement platforms, and more. 

Workshops and discussions will focus on nutritional information, flavor 

profiles, preparation and handling, storage in commercial 

establishments, and traditional and non-traditional ways of cooking 

with green chile.

$71,088.00
198

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New Mexico 

Department of 

Agriculture

$611,638.15 Cooking with Kids Farm to 

School Project

The Cooking with Kids Farm to School Project will increase the 

purchase, consumption and promotion of New Mexico specialty crops. 

The project will 1) enhance the competitiveness of NM specialty crop 

producers and increase the use of locally grown food in the National 

School Lunch program through the development and implementation 

of school district procurement policies that support local purchasing; 

2) provide training and technical assistance to NM farmers in the 

following areas: procurement, quality management and specialty crop 

marketing; 3) increase the frequency of sales and variety of NM grown 

specialty crops purchased for Cooking with Kids (CWK) classroom and 

cafeteria programing; 4) connect farmers who grow specialty crops 

with NM children through CWK classroom and cafeteria based Farm to

School programming that bring growers into the classroom and 

cafeteria; and 5) partner with school districts to develop and 

institutionalize promotional campaigns that raise awareness of NM 

specialty crops and celebrate agricultural traditions.

$60,300.32

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Pathogenicity of Fire Blight 

Strains and a Differential 

Host Set for Fire Blight 

Monitoring/ Breeding

Cornell University will determine the pathogenicity of fire blight 

bacterial strains in New York State and develop a differential set of 

cultivars and cider apple varieties for fire blight resistance monitoring 

and breeding. Fire blight infection severity is largely due to interaction 

between a specific bacterial strain and specific apple cultivar, 

influenced by the environment. Knowing the response of a cultivar to 

the strains it might encounter will benefit fire blight management and 

resistance breeding, including more accurate disease forecasting, spray 

and pruning scheduling, seedling and elite breeding material 

screening, identification of new resistance sources, and development 

of improved resistance cultivars.

$82,059.00
199

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Management of Wireworms 

in Organic and Conventional 

Production Systems

Wireworms are a continuing and increasing problem on organically 

managed farms. Cornell University – Shields’ lab will mitigate the 

damage caused by wireworms by suppressing the population of 

wireworms in sweet potatoes with the use of biological control. Past 

success using a single bio-control nematode application shown some 

efficacy providing positive field data to continue field research and 

initiate the adoption by producers. The project will verify multi-year 

persistence of biocontrol nematodes while evaluating and quantifying 

wireworm populations within established biocontrol research plots at 

the Hudson Valley Farm Hub.

$83,613.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Sustainable Foliar Disease 

Control Using Decision 

Support Systems for the 

New York Table Beet 

Industry

Achieving healthy foliage for the entire season currently relies upon 

regular fungicide applications because of the high risk of crop loss and 

lack of decision support tools available to New York producers. These 

practices threaten durability of disease management as resistance to 

fungicides is prevalent within the fungal population causing 

Cercospora Leaf Spot. Judicious use of fungicides will preserve efficacy. 

This project will evaluate a forecasting system developed for this 

disease in sugar beet and benefits over the New York standard 

industry practices. Adoption by producers will be enhanced through 

on-farm trials, and outreach programs. Outcomes for the New York 

Table Beet industry will include reductions in unwarranted fungicide 

usage.

$99,551.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Improving the Durability of 

Disease Management of 

Onion in New York Through 

Monitoring of Fungicide 

Resistance

Cornell University will conduct research on a Stemphylium leaf blight 

caused by the fungus Stemphylium vesicarium, which has emerged as 

a common disease in New York onion fields. This disease causes a 

severe dieback of onion leaves later in the season and prevents bulbs 

from sizing up. A previous project has identified widespread resistance 

to fungicides in the pathogen population. This project will continue to 

monitor the extent of fungicide resistance, assess the effectiveness of 

new disease management strategies, and assess progress by the 

industry towards halting the development of fungicide resistance.

$97,567.00
200

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Refining Reduced Tillage 

Systems for Vine Crops and 

Sweet Corn on Muck Soils

Cornell University will work with cooperating growers in Orange 

County, New York to improve and expand reduced tillage systems for 

vine crops and sweet corn production on muck soils in the county. The 

results will be disseminated through field days, winter meeting 

presentations, and farmer learning groups.

$68,491.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Harvesting and storage of 

New York’s SnapDragon and 

RubyFrost – Getting it right!

Cornell University will investigate application of harvest date 

management and storage technologies that will maximize the quality 

of NY1 (SnapDragon®) and NY2 (RubyFrost®) apples available for 

consumers. These new varieties are products of the Cornell University 

apple breeding program, and are marketed by Crunch Time Apple 

Growers, an organization that is comprised of 145 grower members in 

New York, representing about 60% of the state's apple production. 

Estimates of plantings for NY1 and NY2 are 500 and 400 acres, 

respectively, and yields in 2017 were 110,000 and 150,000 bushels, 

respectively, and increasing rapidly. These varieties represent critical 

challenges for the industry, however, as continued expansion requires 

high quality apples in the marketplace over extended periods. Long 

term storage of apples is a critical balance between harvest date, 

storability, and is affected by growing region and management 

systems.

$68,598.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Diversifying New York's 

marine aquaculture 

industry: Integrating sugar 

kelp into oyster farms

The ultimate goal of this project is to diversify NY's marine aquaculture 

industry through the integration of sugar kelp cultivation into existing 

oyster farms, thereby providing increased revenues, improved 

financial stability, and more jobs for NY marine farmers.

$100,000.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32 Advertising and Promotion 

of NYS Specialty Crops

NYSDAM will launch a consumer-facing marketing campaign to 

increase the competitiveness of NY specialty crops by creating 

promotional materials for use at point-of-sale locations, trade shows, 

and special promotional events, and by purchasing strategic 

advertisements in digital and print media. NYSDAM will also incentivize 

producers and retailers to develop and use packaging and point-of-sale 

materials designed to highlight NYS/local specialty crops through a 

cooperative marketing program.

$315,000.00
201

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Improving Marketing 

Services to Specialty Crop 

Producers

Sales Force and NYS Information Technology Services will develop a 

sophisticated customer relationship management system (CRM) and 

website that will enable NY State to provide more efficient, timely, and 

well-integrated marketing services to specialty crop producers.

$45,000.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32 Expanding GAP Audits 

Reimbursement Program

This project will continue work that previous SCBG Good Agricultural 

Practices (GAP) projects successfully implemented. The proposed 

project will promote the GAP audit as the best way to prepare for new 

regulatory programs and standards to be implemented under the Food 

Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). We will continue to focus support 

for first time and potentially subsequent GAP audits as New York GAP 

program data indicates that a significant number of farms continue 

participation with GAP audits after having their initial audit.

$100,000.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32 Concord Grape Industry 

Promotion

New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and the Cornell 

Food Venture Center at Cornell University will partner to develop new 

products and new markets for the Concord grape industry to increase 

grower profitability.

$150,000.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32

Increased New York 

Specialty Crop Presence at 

Trade Shows

In the competitive environment that exists in the produce industry, it 

is necessary for states to promote specialty crops grown and the 

availability of those products to the major buyers and to the major 

buying regions of the country. The New York State Specialty Crop 

Advisory Committee has recommended the Department receive 

$60,000 in funding for years 2019 and 2020, to exhibit at the New York 

Produce Show and Conference (an event sponsored by the Eastern 

Produce Council), and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh 

Summit event in Orlando, FL., and the Americas Food and Beverage 

Show in Miami, FL.

$60,000.00

New York State 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Markets

$1,364,209.32 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$92,088.44
202

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Evaluating the Efficacy of 

Organic Pesticides

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) will conduct field 

trials at the Elma C. Lomax Farm, in Concord, NC, to evaluate the 

efficacy of commercially available biopesticides approved for use in 

certified organic specialty crop production and conduct outreach and 

education to organic farmers on best practices for pest management, 

including the use of biopesticides to control pests in organic specialty 

crop production systems. Field trials will include an evaluation of 

biofungicides to control powdery mildew on cucurbits, bioherbicides 

to control aphids, flea beetles, and Lepidoptera on brassicas, and 

bioherbicides to control weeds. Field trial results will be disseminated 

at field days and workshops, though electronic newsletters, and on 

CFSA’s website.

$31,453.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Building Brand Awareness 

among Millennial Families

The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association will build on previous 

successful SCBG projects by expanding promotional content available 

for Social media, especially in the form of short videos, by expanding 

promotional offerings across a range of social media platforms, and by 

upgrading computer systems to make promotional content more 

accessible to mobile devices and more user-friendly to the next 

generation of consumers.

$73,272.50

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Enhancement of NC Potato 

Markets

The North Carolina Potato Association (NCPA) will build market 

opportunities for its members/growers in this project through potato 

marketing/promotions. Marketing funds are requested to promote NC 

potatoes at trade shows, annual meetings, through media, and 

website to corporate potato buyers/decision makers in the US and 

Canada and to consumers. By supporting our marketing efforts, we will 

enhance competitiveness of our potatoes with storage crop potatoes 

from other growing regions and enhance consumer education of 

potato nutrition. NCPA consists of NC potato growers that pay NC 

potato assessments. Only NC potato growers are members of NCPA.

$36,252.40

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Turfgrass Sod Social Media 

Promotional Campaign

The North Carolina Sod Producers Association will utilize the 

effectiveness and reach of various social media platforms such as 

Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest to promote the benefits and 

increase the competitiveness of North Carolina sod through the 

production of videos and photography to increase industry demand 

and industry sales.

$45,000.00
203

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Creating a North Carolina 

Ginseng Seed Source

PHARMN with Watauga County Cooperative Extension will work with 

local ginseng producers in the High Country of western North Carolina 

to establish a North Carolina source of American ginseng seed to 

expand production of this valuable, forest-grown specialty crop. Due 

to increased interest in producing ginseng in underutilized forestlands, 

demand for seed is high. However, there are currently no commercial 

sources for ginseng seed in North Carolina.

$62,864.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Automation in Container 

Nursery Weed Control

North Carolina State University will develop a prototype application 

system to safety and economically control weeds in container nursery 

crop production systems. The mechanized system will deliver targeted 

low-volume, herbicide applications to the substrate surface of 

individual pots. The successful deployment of this system will reduce 

labor costs by over 20% and allow growers to reallocate labor to more 

productive tasks. Additionally, utilization of the proposed application 

system would target herbicide applications where needed, reducing 

waste pesticide applicator exposure.

$80,000.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Biochar: Generating 

Profitability on Sandy Soils

The outcome and goal of this research is to determine if biochar use 

can increase the soil nutrient holding capacity and the moisture 

holding capacity and minimize the incidence of peach tree short life 

(PTSL). The benefits of this would be to maximize crop productivity, 

profitability and sustainability while potentially decreasing soil nutrient 

runoff and leaching and minimizing the use of valuable water 

resources. For this long-term study, peaches are the model crop to 

evaluate the impact on the nutritional status, soil moisture status, 

peach tree short life incidence as well as tree survival, growth and 

productivity.

$61,372.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Biosurveillance of cucurbit 

downy mildew

North Carolina State University will develop a bio-surveillance program 

for precision disease management of Cucurbit Downy Mildew through 

early detection of Pseudoperonospora Cubensis airborne sporangia, 

establishing crop risk and fungicide resistance, and disseminating 

results to stakeholders through grower meetings and field days.

$70,745.00
204

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Breeding Blueberry Cultivars 

for Mechanical Harvest

North Carolina State University is dedicated to improving blueberry 

cultivars to meet North Carolina growers’ needs of yield, quality, and 

machine harvest-ability by evaluating and integrating Vaccinium sp. 

germplasm into NC adapted standards. NC State’s release of new 

cultivars containing key traits for mechanical harvesting will allow NC 

growers to capitalize on this economical harvesting method.

$66,919.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Control of invasive 

nematodes in sweet potato

North Carolina State University will mitigate the spread of the invasive 

Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii, currently affecting sweet-potato 

in North Carolina, by monitoring nematode occurrence, identifying 

effective control methods, and disseminating results to stakeholders 

through grower meetings and field days.

$75,505.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 CRISPR-Based Genome 

Editing in Christmas Trees

This project will be a collaboration between the Forest Biotech Group 

and the Christmas Tree Genetics Program in the Department of 

Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State 

University. The project aims to develop CRISPR-based genome editing 

using somatic embryogenesis (SE) to enable the strategic engineering 

of superior clonal Fraser fir Christmas trees. Fraser fir is one of North 

Carolina’s most important specialty crops. Developing novel genomic 

tools and genome editing technologies for Fraser Fir will have a 

transformative impact on the North Carolina Christmas tree industry.

$129,558.41

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Improving NC Pumpkin 

Production and Marketing

Pumpkin is not well recognized as a cash crop in North Carolina (NC). 

Despite this, NC ranked fourth in U.S. pumpkin production in 2016, 

producing over 936,000 cwt on over 4,000 acres. Current value is 

$5,000-$9,000 per acre gross, although value could be increased 50% if 

high yielding cultivars are found, production practices optimized, and 

stem quality improved during curing. The industry has a strong interest 

in forming a NC Pumpkin Growers Association to better market their 

crop and support improved production. The NCSU horticultural science 

department and NC Extension will lead this project to improve 

commercial pumpkin production and storage life and create a NC 

pumpkin commodity association with the NCDA&CS.

$80,000.00
205

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Integrated Management of 

Rapid Apple Decline

The North Carolina State University Apple Entomology, Pathology, and 

Horticultural Research and Extension programs will conduct applied 

research to mitigate rapid apple decline in North Carolina high-density 

orchards. Applied research will be conducted to identify the casual 

biotic and abiotic agents of rapid apple decline in North Carolina and 

to develop and implement new apple stakeholder recommendations 

for the prevention and management of rapid apple decline.

$125,000.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 North Carolina Hop 

Breeding Phase II

North Carolina State University will breed new hop (Humulus lupulus) 

varieties for North Carolina growers. Existing commercial hop varieties 

produce low yields in NC resulting in a growing demand by NC growers 

for development of new varieties. Significant progress has been made 

in our hop breeding over the past year. In 2017, we obtained 939 

seedlings from crosses made in 2016. From these, 6 female plants and 

3 male plants were selected and propagated for in-field evaluation. In 

2017, crosses were made between selected varieties [Canadian Red 

Vine (CRV), Cascade, Chinook, and Southern Brewer] and the NC 

adapted males.

$90,000.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80

Production of 

Landscape/Forest Hemlock 

Seedlings

The Forest Restoration Alliance of NC State University and its partners 

are beginning the process of reintroducing hemlocks to the landscape 

industry of western NC and restoring native hemlock stands lost to the 

hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The project will continue searching for 

surviving hemlocks by training field personnel, such as those with the 

NC Forest Service, and citizen scientists with the use of a new mobile 

app TreeSnap. Seed and cuttings will be collected from the suitable 

surviving hemlocks that are reported. A portion of the seed collected, 

or plants grown from it will be distributed to private nurseries for 

germination and seedling production for the ornamental industry. A 

portion of the seed will be provided to the NC Forest Service Linville 

nursery for germination and seedling production for reforestation in 

areas devastated by HWA.

$124,000.00
206

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Towards Adelgid Tolerant 

Christmas Trees

Fraser fir Christmas trees are one of North Carolina’s most important 

specialty crops. The Camcore and Christmas Tree Genetics programs in 

the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North 

Carolina State University will evaluate and select Fraser fir clones with 

increased tolerance to the balsam woolly adelgid to mitigate the 

impact of this pest and reduce overall pesticide usage for North 

Carolina’s Christmas tree industry. The results will inform decisions on 

seed usage from existing Fraser fir seed orchards and breeding designs 

for developing additional sources of adelgid tolerance. Outcomes will 

be reported to stakeholders through presentations at the North 

Carolina Christmas Tree Association (NCCTA) and an article in Limbs 

and Needles, the official trade magazine of the NCCTA.

$75,000.00

North Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$1,293,496.80 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$64,575.86

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$193,815.16

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06 Japanese Beetle/Emerald 

Ash Borer Survey

North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) will document the 

presence or absence of Emerald Ash Borer and Japanese Beetle 

through a comprehensive survey and provide outreach and education 

to the nursery industry, horticultural crop producers and the general 

public. This project will help to determine insect presence, spread, and 

if new to an area or overwintering to verify the status of the insects in 

North Dakota.

$50,690.60

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Increasing Access to 

Specialty Crop Production to 

Schools and Communities

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) will provide 

grants to schools and communities to establish orchards and gardens. 

This project will demonstrate to young adults interested in a career in 

agriculture how season extension tools can be used to increase 

production of specialty crops. NDDA will assist the schools and 

communities awarded these grants in hosting field days and sharing 

knowledge gained through print and online tools.

$176,371.30
207

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Growing Specialty Crops to 

Feed the Hungry and 

Increase Food Sovereignty 

on Standing Rock 

Reservation

Dakota Prairies Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council 

will partner with Sioux County Extension Service to conduct a specialty 

crop food sovereignty project, gained by planting, harvesting, 

distributing and preserving specialty crops on the Standing Rock 

Reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota. The purpose of this 

project is to increase the nutrition knowledge of this underserved 

population as well as the consumption of culturally preferred and 

accepted specialty crops. The goal is to improve the diets and health of 

residents on the Standing Rock Reservation, a multi-state area that 

includes North Dakota and South Dakota. Up to 1,000 tribal members 

with will be reached including 500 children and 500 adults.

$156,268.12

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Applying Genomic Tools to 

Accelerate Breeding for 

Disease Resistance in 

Confection Sunflower

National Sunflower Association will integrate genetic and genomic 

approaches to determine the genetic basis of Downy Mildew (DM) 

resistance and identify candidate genes that can be used for sunflower 

improvement. DM is the most economically important disease of 

sunflowers worldwide. The project aims to apply genomic tools for 

efficient identification of DM resistance (R) genes to increase the 

efficiency of sunflower breeding, enhance yield and quality, and 

reduce chemical use. The DM resistant confection hybrids combined 

with superior agronomic characteristics will enhance the sustainability 

of sunflower production and profitability for the U.S. confection 

sunflower industry.

$120,309.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Expanding Exports through 

Focused Sales Trips

PROJECT TITLE

Expanding Exports through 

Focused Sales Trips

The North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) will increase exports of 

specialty crops by offering competitive grants to exporters for 

international trips that promote the sale and consumption of Upper 

Midwest specialty crops. The competitive grants will have an 

application process, agreement to share results and successes because 

of the activity, and a reimbursement process. Consideration for 

approval will be based on the quality of the application, number of 

activities, and the long-term return on investment.

$48,995.00
208

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Effects of Pulse Flour on 

Sourdough Bread for 

Lowering FODMAPs and 

Enhance Overall Nutrition

The Northern Pulse Growers Association (NPGA) is a producer 

organization representing producers and processors in North Dakota 

and Montana. The mission of the NPGA is to provide leadership for a 

sustainable and profitable pulse industry through research, market 

development, and education. The ultimate goal of the project is to 

increase usage and consumption of northern grown pulses by 

providing evidence that pulse-fortified wheat bread has an increased 

nutritional content and lowers FODMAP content in the sourdough 

fermentation bread system. FODMAP has been identified as one of 

causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is the most common 

functional gastrointestinal disorder. It addition the project will 

investigate the palatability and consumer acceptance of pulse fortified 

bread in the conventional bread market.

$108,000.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Adult Plant Resistance: The 

Next Frontier in Breeding 

for Rust Resistance in Dry 

Beans

North Dakota State University (NDSU) researchers will identify dry 

bean lines with Adult Plant Resistance (APR) to the rust pathogen 

Uromyces appendiculatus. Dry bean germplasm will be evaluated 

under greenhouse and field conditions for R-gene resistance and APR. 

Germplasm to be evaluated will include advanced lines in the NDSU 

breeding program and the Meso-American diversity panel. Evaluations 

also will be conducted to compare the efficacy of fungicide 

applications on germplasm displaying APR to currently grown fully 

susceptible cultivars. Research results will be disseminated to dry bean 

growers across North Dakota.

$226,299.80

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Optimizing Planting Date 

and Seed Treatment to 

Manage Fusarium and 

Aphanomyces Root Rots in 

Lentils

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Carrington Research 

Extension Center, in conjunction with the NDSU Robert Titus Research 

Farm in Oakes and the NDSU Department of Plant Pathology, will 

conduct multi-location field trials and outreach to North Dakota and 

Montana lentil producers to optimize the use of planting dates and 

seed treatment fungicides for management of root rots in lentils. 

Fusarium and Aphanomyces root rots are serious constraints on field 

pea and lentil production that have caused many producers to 

abandon the crops. Rigorous, research-based disease management 

recommendations will be developed for dissemination.

$74,100.00
209

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Optimizing Agronomic 

Practices to Maximize Dry 

Bean Agronomic 

Performance and 

Profitability Under

Sclerotinia Disease Pressure

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Carrington Research 

Extension Center, in collaboration with the NDSU Robert Titus 

Research Farm in Oakes and the NDSU Williston Research Extension 

Center’s Nesson Valley Irrigation Research Site, will conduct field trials 

and outreach to North Dakota and Minnesota dry bean producers to 

improve the management of white mold in dry beans. Seeding dry 

beans in narrow rows maximizes yields in the absence of white mold, 

but growers often utilize wide rows to reduce white mold.

$78,800.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Prevalence and Virulence of 

Soybean Cyst Nematode in 

Dry Bean Fields in North 

Dakota

The Department of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University 

will coordinate a Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) soil testing program 

for dry bean growers throughout the dry bean production area of 

North Dakota to determine the prevalence of SCN in dry bean fields. A 

total of 500 SCN soil test bags will be sent out to growers to test dry 

bean fields of their choice. Samples from infested fields will be 

obtained to determine the virulence phenotype (HG type) of the SCN 

population. The egg levels and geospatial positions generated from the 

sampling data will be used to generate SCN distribution maps in dry 

bean fields in North Dakota. The virulence types of SCN and resistance 

sources will be identified, and this information disseminated to 

growers, farm managers, breeders and other scientists to help develop 

SCN management practices to minimize losses from SCN.

$148,715.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Evaluation and 

Enhancement of Dry Pea 

Protein Content

The North Dakota State University’s North Central Research Extension

Center and the Carrington Research Extension Center will facilitate a 

multi-faceted approach to identify and enhance protein content of dry 

pea. The project will identify and define protein content of commonly 

grown dry pea varieties, screen dry pea germplasm for protein 

content, and develop agronomic production practices to enhance 

protein content of dry peas.

$54,925.00
210

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Breeding Maple, Lilac and 

Elm for New Cultivar 

Development Suitable for 

North Dakota

The NDSU Woody Plant Research Program has a unique opportunity 

with respect to breeding ornamental plants. NDSU possesses a 

research arboretum that has the most extensive collection of woody 

ornamental plants in North Dakota and in the Northern Great Plains. 

The focus of this project is to develop new cultivars utilizing 

germplasm that has been rigorously evaluated to develop hybrid 

Freeman maples that are better suited for North Dakota 

environmental conditions, new compact dwarf shrub lilac cultivars and 

new hybrid elm cultivars. Increasing woody plant species bred, 

selected and evaluated for landscaping applications in the region 

would increase options for residents and have a positive financial 

impact on nurseries growing woody plants in North Dakota.

$47,215.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Evaluation of Host 

Resistance Responses for 

Control of Nematode 

Diseases in Field Pea

The Department of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University 

will evaluate 30 field pea cultivars and germplasm used in the region to 

identify and select field peas with resistance to the pin nematode 

Paratylenchus nanus and to the root-lesion nematodes Pratylenchus 

neglectus and P. scribneri. Results will help researchers understand 

resistance or susceptibility of field pea cultivars and germplasm to the 

pin nematodes that is prevalent in North Dakota pea fields and the 

root-lesion nematodes that exists in one-third of counties.

$104,862.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Evaluating Ornamental 

Grasses for the Challenging 

Rain Garden Environment

North Dakota State University (NDSU) will study commonly available 

ornamental grass cultivars to evaluate their tolerance of challenging 

rain garden conditions such as cyclical flooding and drought, depth of 

water submergence, and exposure to salts and hydrocarbons. Results 

and recommendations will be distributed to stakeholders through the 

North Dakota Nursery, Greenhouse and Landscape Association, NDSU 

Extension, and horticultural workshops.

$113,345.00
211

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Combating Drought via 

Supplemental Irrigation in a 

Horticultural Setting

North Dakota State University will develop a thorough understanding 

of advantages stemming from supplemental irrigation in horticultural 

crops. Using grapevines and non-heading Chinese cabbage an 

extensive characterization of water dynamics in the horticultural 

setting of North Dakota will be studied. Integration of field and 

greenhouse experiments will produce an understanding of vegetable 

yield and quality impacted not only by increased rates of irrigation, but 

also by irrigation water quality issues representative of challenges 

faced by the state’s producers.

$96,720.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Investigating the Polyphenol 

Content of North DakotaGrown Aronia Berries

The Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) will work with the 

aronia growers of the North Dakota Grape and Wine Association to 

assess the levels of polyphenolic compounds of aronia berries grown in 

North Dakota. Fruit collected from CREC and other cooperators will be 

used to: 1) show that the North Dakota developed variety ‘McKenzie’ 

is indistinguishable from any other commercial variety; 2) show that 

North Dakota-grown aronia has superior anthocyanin content due to 

the area’s high elevation and high latitude growing conditions; and 3) 

determine the optimum harvest window based on polyphenolic 

content. This information will allow stakeholders to guarantee market 

share and increase income.

$71,588.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Beneficial MicrobiomeBased Improvement of 

Production and Quality of 

Microgreens

North Dakota State University will advance beneficial microbiomebased innovation to improve the production, preservation and health 

relevant to the nutritional quality of microgreens. Microgreens are 

short duration food crops with diverse nutritional benefits. Producing 

microgreens that are healthier and have greater nutritional value has

significant merit in North Dakota due to the prolonged winter and 

shorter growing season. In this proposed innovation beneficial seedbased interactions with targeted microbiome will be used to improve 

germination, emergence, and quality of microgreens.

$77,538.00
212

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Enhancement of Salinity 

Tolerance in North Dakota 

Pulse Crops

High soil salinity is a common problem in agricultural production in 

North Dakota, resulting in reduced yield and quality in many crops 

including pulse. North Dakota State University (NDSU) will conduct a 

study to evaluate a diverse group of pulse genotypes for salinity 

tolerance in greenhouse production as well as validating the tolerance 

levels of selected genotypes in field production. In addition, seed 

inoculants with high biological N-fixation activity under saline 

conditions will be determined under the greenhouse and field 

conditions. This project will help growers select the right pulse 

varieties and seed inoculants, and help breeders develop pulse crops 

with enhanced salinity tolerance.

$90,407.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Improving Productivity and 

Quality of Selected 

Raspberry Cultivars in North 

Dakota

North Dakota State University will develop suitable cultivation 

practices for raspberry production in North Dakota. The research will 

investigate the effects of pruning and fertilization on raspberry 

productivity and fruit quality under the environmental conditions in 

North Dakota. The research will also develop an integrated pest 

management protocol to control the spotted wing drosophila, the 

most detrimental insect in raspberry production. The project will 

provide growers promising field management strategies and make 

raspberry production economically feasible and sustainable; therefore, 

increasing small fruit production in North Dakota.

$67,240.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Enhancing Dry Bean 

Production with Adjacent 

Pollinator Habitats: 

Quantifying the Range and 

Extent of Benefits

North Dakota State University (NDSU) will work to enhance dry bean 

production by encouraging insect pollination in dry beans. Research 

will quantify the benefits of pollinators for dry bean yield and quality. 

Experiments will be conducted to learn how to attract pollinators to 

beans by establishing adjacent pollinator habitats. Results will be 

disseminated to stakeholders through NDSU Extension fact sheets and 

field days at participating field stations.

$127,085.00
213

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Automatic Sensor 

Controlled Drip Irrigation 

Under Mulches for Tomato 

and Watermelon 

Productions

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the 

Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University will 

work together to design, build and implement a drip irrigation system 

that can be automatically controlled by soil moisture sensors. The 

research will focus on using a soil moisture sensor to automatically 

control a drip irrigation under clear plastic, black plastic, and polyester 

fabrics mulches to determine optimum growing conditions for tomato 

and watermelon production in North Dakota. The degree to which 

mulches can help tomato and watermelon plants reach maximum 

production and quality potential in North Dakota’s climate will be 

examined. The project objective is for the sensor-controlled dripmulch systems to conserve water, improve soil temperature, control 

weeds, extend the growing season, and increase the competition of 

North Dakota specialty crops on market.

$81,753.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Development of Best 

Management Practices and 

Nutrient Needs for New 

Potato Cultivars

North Dakota State University will develop best management practices 

with determining the nutrient needs of newly developed potato 

cultivars by studying nitrogen rates, nitrogen timing, spacing and how 

these treatments effect post-harvest quality. The project’s focus is to 

increase adoption of new superior cultivars to maximize sustainable 

production and value for potato growers in North Dakota and other 

potato growing states.

$93,490.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Evaluation, Development, 

and Postharvest Treatments 

for Improved Quality of 

Cold-Hardy Interspecific 

Grape Crosses

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Grape Enhancement 

program will continue to evaluate the 10,000+ accessions located at 

NDSU’s North Central Research Extension Center and the North Dakota 

Agricultural Experiment Station for the advancement of material into 

replicated studies. NDSU will also initiate breeding efforts to increase 

disease resistance into germplasm and to conduct research 

fundamental to the expansion of the Upper Midwest grape and wine 

industries. This research is pertinent to the further development of 

North Dakota’s young grape industry through the progressive 

expansion of commercial growing options and the successful 

identification of ideal blending methods for commercially available 

cultivars.

$226,426.00
214

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

Managing Sclerotinia Head 

Rot in Confection 

Sunflowers with Partially 

Resistant Hybrids

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Carrington Research 

Extension Center, in collaboration with the NDSU Robert Titus 

Research Farm in Oakes, will conduct multi-location field trials and 

conduct outreach to North Dakota and Minnesota sunflower 

producers to improve the management of Sclerotinia head rot of 

confection sunflowers, a sporadic but serious disease of confection 

sunflowers for which no management tools are currently available. 

Replicated field trials quantifying the agronomic response to partial 

Sclerotinia head rot resistance in confection sunflower hybrids under 

low versus high disease pressure will be established in Carrington and 

Oakes, ND. The project will contribute to the development of rigorous 

recommendations for managing Sclerotinia head rot in confection 

sunflowers.

$28,000.00

North Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$3,010,862.06

A Quantitative and 

Longitudinal Study of Honey 

Bee Health

North Dakota is the top honey-producing state. The National 

Agricultural Genotyping Center will perform a two-year honey bee 

study on the relationship between colony loss and pathogen loads to 

inform disease management and minimize premature losses within 

beekeeper operations in North Dakota. The North Dakota monitoring 

project will not only contribute to the continued surveillance of 

pathogens, but also will establish provisional thresholds to direct 

management efforts for infected colonies.

$342,322.00

Commonwealth of 

the Northern 

Mariana Islands 

Department of 

Lands and Natural 

Resources

$242,480.13

Using High Tunnel 

Agriculture to Promote and 

Boost Economic Benefit

Increase the production and availability of locally grown Northern 

Marianas specialty crops and the ability of producers to generate an 

income through the promotion of the use of high tunnels by the local 

specialty crop industry and studying which techniques and crops work 

best with the high towers when growing in Northern Marianas unique 

environment

$242,480.13

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$42,400.00
215

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

Demonstrating the Benefits 

of Specialty Crop Cultivation 

with LED Pink Lighting

The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) proposes to 

demonstrate the efficacy of indoor LED pink lighting as a tool to aid 

urban specialty crop growers. This demonstration will establish that 

the following advantages accrue to urban growers who utilize indoor 

pink light to raise crops indoors: 1) increased yield of specialty crops 

leading to enhanced competitiveness; 2) enhanced competitiveness of 

specialty crops due to greater economic return, reduced inputs, and 

the conservation of scarce resources; and 3) the diversification of 

specialty crop systems.

$25,000.00

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56 The Ohio City Spice 

Collection

Refugee Response, a registered 510c3, will use project funds for the 

production costs, including dehydration, shedding, 

blending, packing, labeling, and promotional expenses, for a collection 

of spices and spice blends produced from herbs grown 

on their farm. The proposed project will enhance the value of these 

specialty crops for retail sale. The development of this 

income stream will increase the ability of Refugee Response to 

provide employment for newly arriving refugees.

$5,000.00

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56 Ohio Cider: From Apple 

Frontier to Signature Cheer

A team of investigators at The Ohio State University will build on 

recent work, which identified 30 “emerging varieties” of 

apple for cider production out of hundreds of varieties maintained in 

the Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA) 

collection. These 30 varieties will be profiled in depth to reveal their 

suitability for various styles of fresh and hard cider, 

highlighting key quality indicators such as aroma compounds and the 

presence of flavor precursors. Also provided to growers 

will be important logistical metrics, such as Yeast Available Nitrogen 

(YAN) and Organic Acid Ratio, which will impact 

operational decision-making for each new variety. This project will 

also initiate powerful programs to introduce these 

emerging varieties to an expanding network of Ohio cider producers 

and specialty growers. These programs will include the 

establishment of the “Ohio Cider Demonstration Orchard” at the 

Ashtabula Agricultural Research Station, and the launching 

of the Ohio Apple Field Day in 2020.

$80,000.00
216

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

Developing Best 

Management Practices to 

Limit the Spread of Pepper 

Weevil (Anthonomus 

eugenii)

Anthonomus eugenii, common name Pepper Weevil (PW), is a serious 

pest and threat to the Ohio pepper industry. In 2015, pepper growers 

in Huron County, Ohio began to see PW damage to their peppers, and 

since it has continued to cause significant losses. The Ohio State 

University’s Entomology Department and the Ohio Agricultural 

Research And Development Center will develop a network across Ohio 

to increase awareness about this pest, and alert pepper producers to 

the risks posed by PW. The goals of this project are to: 1) establish a 

monitoring network for PW in Ohio; 2) evaluate the impact of 

sanitation and cull management practices on pepper weevil survival; 

and 3) develop extension materials for pepper weevil management to 

share with stakeholders.

$100,000.00

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

Biology, Epidemiology and 

Management of 

Peronospora Sparsa, the 

Causative Agent of Downy 

Mildew

Downy mildew in blackberries, caused by the oomycete Peronospora 

sparsa, is a systemic disease that causes crop losses of Rubus and Rosa 

spp. worldwide. The pathogen was recently confirmed in a commercial 

blackberry planting in Ohio, affecting all plants. A rapid response to 

downy mildew outbreaks is critical to protecting plants and mitigating 

yield losses. This study led by Ohio State University seeks to better 

understand the biology and epidemiology of downy mildew in 

blackberries in order to identify best management practices including 

effective chemical spray programs and appropriate cultural practices.

$75,000.00

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

Improving Ohio Hop 

Economic Returns by 

Evaluating Disease and 

Pruning Management 

Strategies

Hop downy mildew, caused by the fungal-like pathogen 

Pseudoperonospora humuli, is the most widely spread and destructive 

disease of hops in Ohio and other northeastern states. The disease is 

specific to hops (Humulus lupulus) and can cause significant yield and 

quality losses in hop crops annually. The most common method to 

prevent spreading is to prune shoots by hand with pruning shears. 

However, this process is costly, time consuming and if proper 

sanitation practices are not used can lead to the unintentional spread 

of the pathogen. An alternative to mechanical pruning is flaming. The 

objectives of this Ohio State University study will be to evaluate and 

compare the effectiveness and labor cost of flaming compared to 

traditional hand pruning and chemical controls to prune hop shoots 

and to kill downy mildew infected shoots.

$30,000.00
217

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56 Expansion of Black Currant 

Production in Ohio

The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) proposes to 

establish the cultivation of black currant varieties resistant to white 

pine blister rust at the Agricultural Incubator Foundation in Bowling 

Green. The focus of this project will be to: 1) research the market 

opportunities for Ohio currants; 2) expand the market for Ohio-grown 

currants accordingly; and 3) establish currants as a feasible crop for 

Ohio specialty crop growers.

$25,000.00

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

Biorational Approaches to 

Managing Bacterial Diseases 

of Vegetable Crop

The Ohio State University will improve the productivity and economic 

return of vegetable and herb crops in Ohio by developing new 

products and conducting science-based comparative evaluations of 

existing products to manage diseases caused by bacteria and 

nematodes. The research will result in recommendations to growers 

for optimal product use, which will be disseminated widely through 

print and social media, presentations at grower conferences and field 

days.

$100,000.00

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

Increasing Efficiency, 

Productivity, Food Safety, 

and Profitability in Ohio’s 

Specialty Crop Industry

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) seeks funding 

to execute an integrated set of programming which will address five of 

the AMS-identified outcomes: (1) Enhance the competitiveness of 

specialty crops through greater capacity of sustainable practices of 

specialty crop production resulting in increased yield, reduced inputs, 

increased efficiency, increased economic return and/or conservation 

of resources; (2) Enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops 

through more sustainable, diverse and resilient specialty crop systems; 

(3) Enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through increasing 

the number of viable technologies to improve food safety; and (4) 

Enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through enhancing or 

improving the economy as a result of specialty crop development.

$60,000.00
218

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Ohio Department 

of Agriculture $586,192.56

The Briermost Foundation’s

Training Farm for Women in 

Recovery

The Briermost Foundation trains beginning farmers who are in 

recovery from substance use disorders. The focus of the training 

program aims for all individuals to obtain experience in production of 

specialty crops. Beginning farmers will obtain skills ranging from 

building raised beds, planting and harvesting crops to marketing and 

selling products at a variety of marketplaces. The project will create a 

toolkit of best practices for farmers in the greater community to work 

with those who are in recovery from substance use disorders. The 

project will focus on how farmers can utilize the hiring of persons in 

recovery to market their products.

$30,000.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29 Oklahoma Farmers’ Market 

Annual Conference

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center on behalf of the 

Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education Project (ONIE) will 

execute an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, 

Food & Forestry (ODAFF) to organize, implement, and evaluate an 

annual Oklahoma Farmers’ Market Conference & Expo in 2019 and 

2020.

$70,000.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

Decontamination of 

Produce by Cold 

Atmospheric Plasma

Oklahoma State University will optimize a cold atmospheric plasma 

(CAP) device for decontamination of foodborne pathogens on produce. 

Research results will be disseminated to stakeholders through 

Horticulture Industries Conference & Show, OK Pecan Growers 

Association meeting and scientific conferences. Postharvest 

decontamination treatment is a critical step in reducing food safety 

risk associated with produce.

$72,621.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

Assessing Pecan Oil for 

Nutritional Potency in 

Oklahoma

Scientists at Oklahoma State University from Horticulture and LA in 

Stillwater and from Biochemistry at the Center for Health Sciences in 

Tulsa will team with pecan production experts at the Noble Research 

Institute in Ardmore to document the nutritional potency of pecans 

produced throughout Oklahoma. Identical pecan varieties will be 

harvested from northeast (Afton), northwest (Cherokee), northcentral 

(Cleveland), southeast (Idabel) and southcentral (Ardmore) Oklahoma 

to determine whether nutritionally vital phytochemicals in the oil 

(fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols and squalene) vary for pecans 

produced across the state.

$83,099.00
219

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

Developing Traffic Tolerant 

Turf Bermudagrasses for 

Sports Fields in Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University will develop improved turf bermudagrasses 

for athletic fields by evaluating traffic tolerance in a large set of 350 

experimental turf bermudagrasses that were bred and selected in the 

last 10 years. The turf bermudagrass development program at 

Oklahoma State University has bred and selected 350 advanced 

genotypes for turf quality and adaptation from more than 50,000 

plants in numerous field trials. In this proposed project, we will 

evaluate traffic tolerance and related turf performance parameters in 

a replicated field trial under simulated traffic stress in response to 

stakeholders’ requests. Our major goal is to select one or a few 

genotypes that have traffic tolerance superior to commercial standard 

cultivars. The results of this project will be disseminated through turf 

field days, turf conferences and social media to sod producers, sports 

field managers, and industry professionals in OK and beyond.

$91,600.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

Tomato Production in 

Greenhouse, High Tunnel, 

and Field Along With Quality 

Analysis for Local Fresh 

Market Production

Research at Oklahoma State University and Langston University will 

evaluate tomato production in three different growing systems to 

compare yield and quality to support local market production. Field 

production of tomatoes still dominates the market; however, use of 

season extending production systems like greenhouses and high 

tunnels is increasing to meet market demands of readily available 

tasteful tomatoes. Both greenhouse and high tunnel production is 

thought to improve yields and nutritional quality with less inputs 

compared to field production by allowing growers to avoid Oklahoma’s 

unpredictable weather. This research will evaluate at least two 

cultivars of two different types of tomato (slicing and cherry) using 

similar cultivars adapted to each system.

$99,130.00
220

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

Identification of Factors 

Affecting Sod Tensile 

Strength and Wear 

Tolerance of Warm-Season 

Turfgrass.

Researchers at Oklahoma State University in the Dept. of Horticulture 

& Landscape Architecture will identify the morphological and 

physiological characters associated with wear tolerance and tensile 

strength of sod. Ten experimental and commercial cultivars of 

bermudagrass and zoysiagrass will be tested for wear tolerance and 

tensile strength using standard methods. The same grasses will then 

be evaluated for morphological and physiological features that are 

suspected to contribute to sod tensile strength in selected cultivars. 

These findings will be used by the OSU turfgrass breeder to reliably 

predict and select for wear tolerance or high tensile strength sod. 

Ultimately, the enhanced selection efficiency will lead to improved 

cultivars reaching Oklahoma producers and consumers. Results of this 

project will be disseminated through field days, professional 

association meeting, extension program, and peer-review publication.

$62,966.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

Increasing Pecan 

Consumption Through 

Value-Added Product 

Development

Scientists at Oklahoma State University will investigate the valueadded processing of pecans grown and shelled in the state of 

Oklahoma. The long-term goal of this project is to develop an 

integrated and sustainable pecan processing system that will produce 

high-value health beneficial functional foods, cosmetics, and food and 

industrial ingredients that can be used to improve food safety and 

quality. To achieve this goal, extraction processes will be designed and 

optimized and their efficiency to produce extracts enriched in 

bioactive compounds from various parts of pecan nuts will be 

examined. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity of these extracts and 

their effects on common food pathogens and human cancer cells will 

be tested. The successful completion of this project will benefit 

farmers and processors in Oklahoma by enhancing the 

competitiveness of their specialty crop, pecans, through increased 

consumer usage by providing natural health beneficial and safe food 

products.

$50,666.00
221

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29

U Can U-Pick! Resources for 

Producers Considering 

Starting a U-Pick Operation

The Oklahoma Agritourism program will undertake a project to help 

specialty crop producers understand the benefits, risks and best 

practices involved in operating a u-pick farm. This project will create an 

educational binder for producers that outlines facts about the most 

popular u-pick crops in Oklahoma in order to aide in researching and 

setting up OK u-pick operation. Successful Oklahoma u-pick producers 

will be enlisted to participate in educational videos showcasing best 

practices in use on their farm.

$22,400.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29 Farm to School “Back at the 

Table” Conference and Tour

Oklahoma Farm to School will hold a “Back at the Table” Training 

Conference and traveling tour in 2019 and 2020 for local farmers, 

producers, Child Nutrition Directors, Food Service Personnel and 

educators who are interested in serving Specialty Crops in their school 

lunches. These conferences and tours will allow specialty crop 

producers to network with Child Nutrition Directors near them who 

would like to purchase and serve specialty crops in their school. These 

will be two-day conferences. The first day will be spent in a conference 

location attending sessions focusing on specialty crops. The second day 

will be a traveling conference to tour specialty crop gardens and 

Farmers Markets.

$27,964.00

Oklahoma 

Department of 

Agriculture, Food, 

and Forestry

$630,961.29 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$49,899.54
222

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Enhancing the Value & 

Supply Chain for High Desert 

Specialty Crops

High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA) and Oregon State University 

Extension Service will provide technical support to specialty crop 

producers through workshops focused on improving on-farm 

efficiencies and food safety standards, and by providing follow-up 

support utilizing peer-to-peer mentoring. Farmers, food businesses 

and processors will also participate in field trips, workshops, 

demonstrations, and discussions to deepen their understanding of the 

look, feel, taste and price associated with locally grown foods. To 

propel consumer motivation to support local farms and improve the 

competitiveness of regionally grown specialty crops, HDFFA will utilize 

an existing state-wide communications strategy developed by the 

Oregon Community Food System Network and implement a regionally 

targeted campaign, which can be employed by other regions in 

Oregon.

$132,765.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Oregon Blueberry Retail 

Promotions and Market 

Research in Korea

The Oregon Blueberry Commission (OBC) will conduct research in 

Korea to examine why its export volumes have not grown consistently 

since Oregon fresh blueberries were first allowed access to that 

market during the 2012 season. Research will be completed with help 

from a contracted agency and during a visit of OBC representatives to 

Korea. Research findings will help shape retail promotions. Retail 

promotions will be implemented with leading Korean chains to 

generate awareness and encourage purchases of fresh Oregon 

blueberries. The ultimate goals of the project are to increase 

distribution for Oregon fresh blueberries in Korea and increase exports 

to that market.

$123,664.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Enhancing Oregon Broccoli 

Market Competitiveness by 

Improving Harvest Efficiency

The Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission will facilitate the 

mechanical harvest of broccoli by developing, manufacturing and field 

testing improved mechanical harvester prototypes. This will involve 

the adaptation of vision software using camera and computer 

technology that will tolerant the naturel elements of farm-production 

fields, and the development of hardware capable of utilizing computer 

technology to successfully harvest broccoli in a manner acceptable to 

the vegetable processing industry. The development of this technology 

will utilize a group of students at Crescent Valley High School in 

Corvallis, OR whose first robotics team has been tackling this realworld challenge.

$117,453.00
223

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Market Development for 

Processed Oregon Berries to 

Japan

To expand overseas export market opportunities in Japan for Oregon 

berries, the industry needs to foster business connections with buyers, 

and help them understand why Oregon berries are different, better, 

and worth paying more for than other processed berries in the world 

market. Through this project the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry 

Commission (ORBC) and Oregon Strawberry Commission (OSC) will 

improve market development and access for processed Northwest 

berries and value-added berry products to Japan by connecting directly 

with customers via an inbound trade mission to Oregon. Attracting 

new customers to processed Oregon berries, and the value-added 

products and production capabilities in the state, will help ensure the 

economic growth and viability of these valuable specialty crops for 

years to come.

$81,290.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Expanding Consumption and 

Sales of Wine from 

Tempranillo Grapes

The Oregon Tempranillo Alliance will be hosting two major events in 

2019 to enhance the competitiveness of Oregon-grown grapes. 

Specialty crop producers will be exposed to new viticultural and 

enological knowledge at a three-day conference in Ashland, OR. Wine 

professionals and general consumers will be exposed to the diversity 

of wines produced by Oregon-grown grapes at a Public Tasting in 

Portland, OR. OTA’s state-wide vision of enhancing Tempranillo grape 

and wine production will be achieved through deliberate consumer 

branding and marketing initiatives.

$37,000.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92 Developing Oregon’s Winter 

Vegetable Industry

The overarching goal of this project is to increase the production and 

consumption of winter vegetables in Oregon. The objectives of this 

project are to engage farmers in developing markets for high 

performing winter vegetables and evaluate impacts. To achieve these 

goals, the project will coordinate a number of winter vegetable variety 

demonstrations, field days, showcases and festivals. Outreach 

materials that can be affixed to winter vegetables to direct consumers 

to the project’s marketing website (eatwintervegetables.com) will be 

distributed to growers, distributors, restaurants and seed companies.

$174,992.00
224

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Promotion of Oregon 

Nurseries and Specialty 

Seeds as Bee-Friendly 

Industries

Oregon State University, in partnership with the Oregon Association of 

Nurseries and the Specialty Seed Growers of Western Oregon will 

develop Bee Protection Protocols and promote these protocols to the 

public as well as highlight seed mixtures and nursery plants that 

provide forage throughout the season to a broad array of pollinators. 

The project aims to: 1) increase sales of pollinator-friendly plants from 

the seed and nursery industries; 2) enhance pollinator health in 

Oregon; 3) provide a scaling-up of the Oregon Bee Project initiative; 

and 4) incentivize environmental stewardship by rewarding industries 

that contribute to pollinator health.

$174,374.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Enhancing Productivity and 

Safety of Oregon Hazelnuts 

Through Technology 

Innovation

Oregon State University will conduct pilot-plant scale radio frequency 

(RF) drying studies by collaborating with Washington State University 

to evaluate the costs for a large-scale commercial process in 

comparison with the hot-air drying. This project is aimed to develop an 

economically feasible, environmentally friendly, and safe postharvest 

RF drying technology for enhancing quality, safety, productivity, and 

storability of hazelnuts produced in Oregon.

$169,791.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Development of New 

Biological Control Strategies 

for Pest Slugs

The most common control methods for slugs rely on chemical 

pesticides, which have low efficacy, many environmental risks and 

potential for chemical resistance. Therefore, growers are challenged 

with developing sustainable management strategies focusing on 

biological-based environmentally friendly alternatives. Currently in 

Europe a commercially available biocontrol product (Nemaslug®) 

comprising a nematode and its associated bacteria is being used to 

manage slugs. The recent discovery of this nematode in Oregon opens 

the door to serious consideration of the nematode as a potential 

biological agent in the United States. Through this project, Oregon 

State University will conduct further method development to expand 

the potential of this nematode system to deliver specific bacteria as 

vehicles for additional biocontrol strategies.

$174,815.00
225

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Improving Fresh Blueberry 

Quality with Innovative 

Harvesting and Sensor 

Technology

Oregon State University (OSU) will work with the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Washington State University, and the University of 

Georgia to improve the quality of fresh market blueberries by 

developing innovative mechanical harvesting solutions and using 

sensor technology. New mechanical harvesting solutions will alleviate 

constraints growers are experiencing due to increasing costs and 

decreasing availability of hand labor for harvesting. Since 2015, our 

collaborative efforts in machine harvesting research have led to 

advances in using over-the-row (OTR) mechanical harvesters for fresh 

market quality blueberries. A newly modified OXBO OTR harvester will 

be built with soft catch surfaces and a stacked catch frame to reduce 

fruit dropping distance and internal fruit damage, therefore resulting 

in mechanically harvested blueberries with quality comparable to hand 

harvest.

$174,499.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Equipping the Next 

Generation of Oregon 

Farmers for Success

Rogue Farm Corps (RFC) project will equip the next generation of 

Oregon farmers for success by providing advanced-level course work in 

agriculture, business preparedness, land access literacy, and farm 

succession planning. RFC will also support the transition of farmland 

and farm businesses from one generation to the next. RFC’s advancedlevel class series compliments their on-farm Apprenticeship Program 

that will be offered to new participants. Workshops will recruit new 

farmers to rural areas, build connections across agricultural 

communities and generations, and support the transition of farmland.

$82,422.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

AgriCulture – Honoring 

Culture and Agricultural 

Career Exploration Through 

the Food System

Salem-Keizer Education Foundation (SKEF), a community non-profit, is 

at the cutting-edge of Oregon’s Farm to School movement. SKEF’s 

robust program serves over 43,000 students at 13 school gardens and 

teaches students about Oregon specialty crops from the garden to the 

kitchen to the pantry to the table. This project will create the SalemKeizer Land Lab at McKay High School, which will serve as the catalyst 

for ag literacy in the community. Students will learn not only how to 

plant and harvest Oregon specialty crops but about the entire food 

system including different food cultures and heritage. Through a better 

understanding of the food system, food processing, food innovation, 

and agricultural applications using technology, students will have 

better access to careers based in Oregon agriculture.

$99,547.00
226

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92 Creating a Sustainable WPS 

Training Program at OSU

Oregon State University’s Pesticide Safety Education Program (OSUPSEP) will streamline regulatory compliance and prevent pesticide 

incidents within specialty crops in Oregon. OSU-PSEP will create a 

sustainable program to provide required posters and pesticide safety 

training in English and Spanish. OSU-PSEP will develop procedures, 

field-test training materials, and build the registration and recordkeeping process in order to deliver at least 36 WPS (Worker Protection 

Standard) training events across the state of Oregon.

$150,025.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92 Farmers Share – Connecting 

Consumers with Farmers

Oregon Aglink will connect Oregon’s specialty crop farmers with 

consumers by facilitating direct farm tours, luncheons, and digital 

engagement. All connections will highlight Oregon’s specialty crop 

farmers and their production practices in different regions of the state. 

Through these connections, consumers will learn about food safety on 

and off the farm, how-to buy Oregon grown food on a budget, and 

ways to incorporate more specialty crops into meals. Consumers 

engaging in this project will better understand the economic, 

environmental, and social impact Oregon specialty crop farms have on 

the state, country, and world. As a result of this greater understanding, 

consumers will increase their consumption of Oregon’s specialty crop 

products.

$33,681.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92

Opening New International 

Markets for Oregon Grown 

Hazelnuts

Wilco Farmers, a farmer cooperative, cooperatively-owned by 

approximately 3,000 producer-owners, including 216 hazelnut 

growers, seeks to grow international sales of Oregon hazelnuts by 

more than 100 percent by 2020. This goal will be fulfilled by increasing 

the ability of international buyers to purchase Oregon hazelnuts and 

by increasing awareness of Oregon hazelnuts among international 

buyers. A new webpage will be developed to support international 

buyers purchasing Oregon hazelnuts and to create product exposure at 

four significant international food tradeshows.

$174,312.00

Oregon 

Department of 

Agriculture

$2,069,232.92 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$165,268.52
227

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

A Formal Registered 

Apprenticeship Program for 

Diversified Vegetable Farm 

Managers Identifying 

Alternative Varieties for PA 

Potato

2

Identifying Alt

The creation of a formal apprenticeship program would be a valuable 

resource both for experienced vegetable farmers seeking skilled 

employees and for aspiring farmers looking to lead Pennsylvania’s 

specialty crop industry forward. With support from the SCBG program, 

PASA will build on our ongoing work with diversified vegetable farmers 

and register our apprenticeship curriculum with the Pennsylvania 

Department of Labor and Industry. We will trial the two-year, 3,000-

hour program with four mentor-apprentice pairs and coordinate a 

series of educational events focused on technical topics, including 

business management and integrated pest management. This project 

will be a long-term investment in an innovative model for training new 

farmers and developing a skilled workforce for Pennsylvania’s specialty 

crop industry.

$103,334.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 Growers to Replace Round 

White Potatoes Year- 2

Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers, Inc. will work with Penn 

State University and Pennsylvania potato growers, packers, and 

processors to identify russet potato varieties that will be productive 

under Pennsylvania growing conditions. Today, russet potato varieties 

account for nearly 60% of fresh potato sales and almost 100% French 

fry sales nationally. Most russet potato varieties were developed from 

breeding programs in northwestern states such as Idaho.

$112,844.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 PA Wine Land Post Video 

Series

To stay competitive in drawing consumers to choose wines made from 

local grapes and wineries, PA Wines will invest more heavily in audiovisual experiences on the Post. Thus, the PWA looks to expand its 

video library for the Post, enhancing a robust content marketing 

channel with unique, engaging, and shareable video content.

$45,000.00
228

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Best Practices for Organic 

Production in Pennsylvania 

Mushrooms

The American Mushroom Institute (AMI), along with its longstanding 

partners at Penn State University, will enhance best practices for 

organic mushroom production according to standards set by the 

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). This will be accomplished 

through the development of a production-based app for mobile 

devices and smartphones to assist growers with the identification and 

monitoring of mushroom pests, diseases and collection of critical 

environmental parameters during the organic crop production process. 

By developing this app, organic mushroom growers would be able to 

use a handheld device to track the inputs into the organic crops, 

determine appropriate cultivation techniques used for organic crops 

and monitor other certification and traceability inputs in mushroom 

houses.

$70,000.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Beginning Specialty Crop 

Farmer Success Through 

Increased Sales Via 

Marketing and Consumer 

Education

Nutritional fact sheets, serving and cooking information and recipes 

will be developed for 10 targeted specialty crops. Chef 

demonstrations, signage, bonus bucks, educational, fun children’s 

activities will round out the items utilized to promote the 10 targeted 

specialty crops. A 20% sales increase is anticipated because of the 

marketing and promotional activities.

$20,000.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Establishing Cooperative 

Marketing Opportunities for 

Chestnuts

We will develop resources and a business model for chestnut 

processing facilities in Pennsylvania, focusing on sustainable tree 

cropping systems and supplementing with native species to reach 

niche marketing opportunities.

$49,730.40

Pennsylvania 

Department of

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 Reweaving Youth into the 

Food System

The LEAF Project’s mission is to cultivate youth leaders from diverse 

backgrounds through meaningful work in the food system. The LEAF 

Project will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in 2 ways. 

First, by training and equipping the youth of the LEAF Project with 

tools for meaningful food choice change within their households. 

Secondly, the LEAF Project will create new pathways to specialty crops 

through youth-led hands-on workshops with populations who would 

otherwise not have access to specialty crops.

$20,000.00
229

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Sustainable Production, 

Business Management, and 

Farm Safety Innovations for 

Next Generation Young 

Farms and Minority

Penn State Extension will develop bilingual educational programming 

for a promising next generation of beginning and minority specialty 

crop growers. The goals are to (1) enhance the ability of the 

Pennsylvania specialty crop industry to increase capacity and (2) 

sustain such capacity in the long term by increasing the number of 

growers and supporting more economical and sustainable methods by 

a next generation of fruit and vegetable producers from diverse 

backgrounds.

$91,209.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 Culinary Training for School 

Foodservice Professionals

Penn State University, working in collaboration with the Pennsylvania 

Department of Education (PDE), Division of Food and Nutrition, will 

provide three hands-on culinary training sessions reaching 90 school 

food service professionals to increase use and acceptance of 

Pennsylvania specialty crops in schools through school meals and 

taste-tests.

$59,920.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Enhanced Plant Resistance 

in Tomato and Broccoli with 

Seed Treatment and Natural 

Elicitor

Penn State University will reduce pest damage to tomatoes and 

broccoli by developing scientifically based methods of seed treatments 

combined with sprays of an organic, plant extract and will disseminate 

our results through grower meetings and online materials.

$48,804.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Enhanced Diagnosis and 

Monitoring of Major 

Pathogens that Threaten 

Specialty Crop Production 

and Markets

To protect the production and markets of vegetables and nursery and 

floriculture crops in Pennsylvania from such threats, Penn State and 

the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) have been working 

together to generate data and tools needed for accurate and rapid 

diagnosis of invasive pathogens and have applied resulting resources 

to solve various specialty crop-related problems.

$53,884.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Good Agriculture Practices 

& Good Handling Practices 

Cost Share Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will provide cost sharing 

support for successfully completed USDA Good Agricultural practices 

(GAP) or USDA Good Handling Practices (GHP) audit annually. The 

program provides a maximum reimbursement of $400 towards one 

successfully completed audit per year. The activity is administered 

through the PA grows program through applications made available on 

its website and through paper applications made available upon 

request, by auditors and at various trade shows.

$105,000.00
230

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Continuing Enhancement of 

Food Safety Practices by 

Providing Educational and 

Support Materials to 

Produce Farmers

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety will 

continue efforts and successes, of the last six years, in enhancing fruit 

and vegetable food safety practices by providing education and 

practical tools to Pennsylvania produce farmers who are moving 

toward compliance with the Food Safety and Modernization Act 

Produce Safety Rule.

$58,060.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 Consumer Vegetable 

Promotion

The Pennsylvania Vegetable Marketing and Research Program will be 

enhancing its outreach to consumers by designing and printing new 

and fresh point-of-purchase materials for its annual “August is PA 

Produce Month” consumer promotion. The Program will also be 

upgrading its online Directory of Farm Markets, Farmers’ Markets and 

CSAs and its online Directory of Wholesale Growers by converting both 

to searchable databases instead of static webpages or PDFs. In 

addition, several short consumer videos about Pennsylvania 

vegetables will be produced for the Program’s website

$20,000.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

PA Preferred Culinary 

Connection with Focus on 

Promotion Pennsylvania 

Specialty Crops

Strategic Contracting, Inc. will plan and coordinate the 2019 PA 

Preferred Culinary Connection, which delivers immediate benefits to 

the specialty crops organizations and the local economy in the form of 

increased sales and marketability of PA commercially-grown specialty 

crops by allowing local farmers and food suppliers to showcase their 

specialty crops to local consumers.

$43,200.00

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$32,387.67

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87 RFEC South Western PA 

Specialty Crop Project

The project will promote and improve the access to locally grown 

fruits, vegetables, and processed produce (specialty crops) processed 

produce (made from specialty crops) that are designated for 

distribution to underserved communities with a main focus on 

community center and senior centers (pop-up farm market) (food 

deserts) within the southwestern PA counties, local restaurants, local 

farmers markets, a year-round farm market, and community 

supported agricultural farms.

$71,158.00
231

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Pennsylvania 

Department of 

Agriculture

$1,127,698.87

Impact of Management 

System on Potato 

Phytochemicals, Yield, Pest 

and Disease Control

This project will address the Pennsylvania potato specialty growers’ 

needs and provide scientific-based information on optimal practices 

that can be used in conventional and organic management systems to 

enhance potato yield and phytochemical contents, reduce pest and 

disease pressures, and dependency on pesticides.

$121,878.00

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Increasing Market 

Competitiveness for 

Specialty Crop Products of 

Puerto Rico Thought 

Marketing and Promotion 

Strategies

Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) and the Innovation 

Funds of Department of Agriculture (FIDA) are aware about the 

difficulties that farmers overcome to access local markets. Most of our 

farmers lack knowledge in marketing background. As a result, they do 

not possess technical sales or business conceptualization skills. Trade 

fairs, events and conventions are great opportunities for established 

and beginning farmers to learn how to access their target market and 

increase their sales. Also, these events are a great opportunity to 

develop local products awareness highlighting our quality and 

freshness.

$143,481.68

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Small Farmers Soil 

Preparation Package to 

Foster Specialty Crops in 

Puerto Rico

Organia Farms will develop an extension and service program to small 

farmers of specialty crop around Puerto Rico. The project will provide 

direct service to young/beginner farmers and other small farmers who 

grow horticultural specialty crop. The main outcome of the project will 

be to increase production of specialty crops around the Island by 

providing a complete soil preparation and amendment service free of 

charge to eligible farmers of specialty crops.

$27,000.00

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Improving Producer 

Capacity to Comply with 

FSMA

FIDA will help farmers to comply with the new Food Safety Rule under 

the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and establish capacity 

building for the Produce Safety Rule (PSA). These rule establish new 

requirements with different levels of compliance based on operation 

type and size. FIDA will be training 91 specialty crops farmers in 

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course to be offered by 

the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

$13,600.00
232

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33 Coffee Drying Processing 

Floors

Hacienda Mireia LLC (the “Company”), a Puerto Rico limited liability 

Company engaged in the operation of nearly 50 acres of farmland 

dedicated to Arabica coffee and other agricultural crops, will develop 

two drying floors to process coffee to promote awareness to coffee 

producers in the region on a key step in the coffee production chain 

that is quintessential in the specialty coffee industry. Our goal is to 

highlight that coffee producers in Puerto Rico should aim to enter the 

specialty coffee market, and that sun-drying coffee practices can be 

effectively implemented in most mountain farms.

$2,904.75

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Family Educational Farm 

and Culinary Showcases at 

Placita en Plaza

The Innovation Fund for Agricultural Development of Puerto Rico 

(FIDA), pursues the use of grant funds to promote Specialty Crops 

consumption to market visiting families through hands-on activities for 

children, nutritional programs for adults and culinary activities that will 

be showcased at the Placita en Plaza site at the Plaza de las Americas 

at San Juan and the Plaza del Caribe at Ponce, Puerto Rico. We are 

currently looking to improve the overall awareness of children, young 

adults, parents and elderly, in the consumption of Specialty Crops as a 

good source of a healthy and nutritional foods. We will call to visit 

schools, head starts and other organizations that may handle childcare 

institutionally and private. A Demo Kitchen will be used weekly by 

producers and chefs, to promote culinary activities using locally 

produced Specialty Crops from the kiosks farmers and there will be 

scheduled activities throughout the month taking into consideration 

the direct participation of stakeholders.

$50,080.00
233

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Capacity Building to Puerto 

Rico Department of 

Agriculture Agency Staff for 

Propagation of Musa spp. 

Through Pathogen Free 

Meristematic Vegetative Tis

The Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) and the Innovation 

Fund for Agricultural Development (FIDA) is seeking for one of the 

varieties of plantain (Musa spp.) to restore part of the industry that 

was devastated by the pass of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The initial 

training will be a “train the trainer” approach that will take place in 

Meristematic Tissue Labs in Costa Rica for PRDA and FIDA staff. 

Knowledge transfer will take place thru two training sessions offered 

by PRDA and FIDA staff to farmers, students, lab technicians and 

professors, as well as PRDA Regional Agronomist that provide technical 

assistance to farmers. In addition, the project will be directed towards 

farmers in the eastern area of the island, where the Yabucoa Valley is 

located, for those who are qualified to cultivate and ensure the 

production of plantains in this region of Puerto Rico.

$44,517.70

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Development of Organic 

and Synthetic Fungicides 

again Mycosphaerella 

(Sigatoka)

The Universidad del Turabo will carry out the preparation of organic 

and synthetic fungicides to treat the Sigatoka. A synthesis for 

organofluorinated compounds, formulations of extracts of aromatic 

plants, followed by analysis of concentration of fungicides, and 

applications of fungicide in banana crops will be performed. The 

findings will be published in scientific journals and disseminated 

through workshops targeting farmers. This research is especially 

innovative in that the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Claribel Baez, will 

synthesize new fluorinated molecules and fungicide evaluations to 

contribute to the development of new agrochemicals with enhanced 

bioavailability.

$25,187.00

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Replanting and Growth of 

Fine Quality Cacao after 

Hurricane Maria 

(Theobroma Cacao L.)

Cortés Hermanos LLC. will help Puerto Rico cacao producers to 

overcome the losses suffered as result of Hurricane Maria on their 

cacao farms by distributing 12,000 grafted trees at a 70% discounted 

price to be subsidized by the funds from this proposal. The impact of 

the hurricane on cacao farms represents an estimate loss of 50% of all 

cacao tress. The tasks to be completed include...

• The production of 12,000 grated tress by two local commercial cacao 

greenhouses

• The coordination and supervision of the proper development of 

grafts

• The coordination of the distribution of trees to local farmers

$27,000.00
234

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Economic Viability of the 

Plantain Variety Dwarf 

Curare in Puerto Rico's 

Agriculture

Bananera Fabre Inc. will conduct research for the development and 

implementation of the variety of plantain called dwarf curare (Musa 

paradisiaca (Eumusa AAB)). This research looks to find a feasible 

alternative to producers and help one of the few islands’ self-sufficient 

agrobusinesses. In September of 2017 Puerto Rico was hit by 

hurricanes Irma and Maria, wiping out all the plantain crops in their 

paths leaving producers scrambling for new and better varieties.

The focus of this project is to measure the crops performance and 

economic viability to help minimize the scarcity of plantain seedlings. 

The tasks to be carried out in this research are: weekly and monthly 

tests and evaluations to determine crops performance. Finally, the 

implementation of this project will lead to the creation of a handbook 

about crop management techniques with the purpose of educating 

growers of the variety.

$26,975.50

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33

Farm in the City as a 

technological platform for 

innovative and modern 

accelerated urban 

agriculture

Carmen Ildefonso Ortiz, Bonafide Farmer, will develop the "Farm in the 

City" concept integrating A Class Engineering Automated Modules for 

Indoor Farming in Guaynabo Urban Area. This modern and 

technological concept will be the perfect platform to create 

community-focused programs targeting better nutrition, increased 

employment, effective therapy, well-rounded education, and much 

more. With this educational platform we will provide farmers and new 

“agro” entrepreneurs with an efficient and sustainable agricultural 

innovation, producing premium products from an urban area at a 

competitive price to the community. An integral part of this program is 

new hydroponic technology, which will enable farmers to harvest 

different specialized crops.

$27,000.00

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$38,000.00
235

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Departamento de 

Agricultura de 

Puerto Rico

$535,214.33 Increasing Ornamentals 

Production in Puerto Rico

After the pass of hurricanes Irma and María through Puerto Rico, the 

ornamental industry was severely affected. Therefore, the Puerto Rico 

Department of Agriculture (PRDA), the Innovation Fund for Agricultural 

Development (FIDA) and the Department of Correction and 

Rehabilitation developed a rehabilitation program for inmates based 

on workshops and training in various areas related to the cultivation of 

ornamental plants. These workshops will include various areas such as 

landscape gardening, maintenance of green areas, management and 

production of ornamental plants. Although the industry of ornamental 

plants in Puerto Rico depends mostly on the importation of vegetative 

material to propagate, the inmates will have the opportunity to 

prepare a project where they can produce ornamental plants on the 

farm and in greenhouses. They will be able to establish a wholesale 

activity that promotes farmers and garden retailers to buy their 

products.

$108,800.00

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02

Creating Sustainability and 

Prosperity by Aggregating 

Specialty Crops for Limited 

Resource and Socially 

Disadvantaged RI Farmers

Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) will increase the impact of its 

Food Hub, which aggregates and distributes specialty crops grown at 

urban farm sites in Greater Providence. By increasing the production 

and sale of specialty crops to meet increasing demand across many 

markets, including in low-income Rhode Island communities, SCLT’s 

goal is to create a sustainable and prosperous enterprise for the 

farmers and their communities.

$29,858.00

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02

Technical Assistance, 

Training and Outreach in 

Support of Organic 

Techniques on Specialty 

Crop Farms

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island seeks to 

enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by providing training 

and outreach to farmers in the use of organic techniques and assisting 

farmers in certifying their crops as organic or transitioning to organic 

methods. In addition, this project seeks to provide consumer outreach 

to raise consumer awareness on the benefits of buying organic

specialty crops, thus supporting both the demand for and the 

production of organic specialty crops. Project activities will include a 

farmer-to farmer advisor program, a range of education events 

including an Advanced Growers Seminar, a series of on-farm 

workshops to demonstrate organic techniques, and an Organic 

Farming Educational Conference.

$30,950.00
236

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02

African Alliance of RI 

Beginner Farmers’ Specialty 

Crops Project

The African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI) will contract with the 

Rhode Island Department of Agriculture to expand access to locally 

produced organically grown specialty vegetables, greens and valueadded products to people living in food desert neighborhoods located 

in Wards 9, 10 and 11 of Providence, RI. The project will support AARI 

beginner farmers who grow produce to sell at local farmers markets or 

for home consumption. AARI farmers represent a diverse group of 

minority farmers, and many are refugees and immigrants who are 

working to become established as part of the Rhode Island agricultural 

community.

$14,500.00

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02

Strengthening Rhode Island 

Farm to School through 

Farm-Based Education

This project will advance the Rhode Island Farm to School program 

through farm and classroom-based educational opportunities for both 

students and school nutrition professionals. Field trips will provide 

hands-on, experiential education opportunities for Rhode Island 

children to understand where their food comes from and learn about 

specialty crops. Field trips for school nutrition professionals will be 

professional development opportunities that identify ways to begin or 

strengthen farm to school programming through local specialty crop 

purchasing practices.

$50,000.00

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02

“Get Fresh Buy Local” 

Marketing Improvement 

Program

The Rhode Island Division of Agriculture working with specialty crop 

growers throughout the state will continue to grow its “Get Fresh Buy 

Local Fruits and Vegetables Campaign” by expanding their work with 

local media to promote the Get Fresh Buy Local Program by 

conducting fruit and vegetable cooking demonstrations featuring local 

celebrity chefs at all Rhode Island farmers markets and participating 

roadside stands. Its marketing program will be enhanced by making 

point of purchase advertising material available to farmers such as 

price cards and logo material stating “Get Fresh Buy Local Fruits and 

Vegetables.” The Division will also update the Rhode Island agriculture 

display with pictures of nursery stock, fruits and vegetables grown 

throughout the state.

$88,907.27
237

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02

Developing Protocol and 

Technologies for No Till 

Vegetable Production in 

Rhode Island

Wishing Stone Farm will develop and execute a project to rent a Roller 

Crimper machine to facilitate further developing technologies to bring 

No Till vegetable production to the state of Rhode Island and to 

disseminate that acquire knowledge to other farmers across New 

England. We are seeking funds for a three year project that will give us 

time to repeatedly establish protocols to fully develop this groundbreaking technologies that will solve soil erosion, solve nutrient run off 

and solve water contamination from excess fertilizer leaving Rhode 

Island farms.

$12,375.00

Rhode Island 

Division of 

Agriculture

$276,614.02 Harvesting Rhode Island

Caserta Productions will produce seven half-hour episodes to air on 

Rhode Island PBS. Each episode will be filmed on location featuring 

two farms and interviews with the farmers. Discussions will include 

where the farms are located, the crops that are harvested, and the 

location where the products can be purchased. Farms will be selected 

according to the crops they grow and their locations in the state 

providing a large assortment of products. The locations of the farms 

will represent as many cities and towns as possible. The episodes will 

include beginning and seasoned farmers growing their products in the 

fields, greenhouses and high tunnels. The series promotes public 

awareness by interpreting how this historically significant way of life 

on the farm will manage to survive and become more competitive. A 

total of fourteen farmers will be assisted with their long-term strategic 

planning through technology based economic development. The 

farmers will be provided with a method of marketing that is currently 

unaffordable to them.

$49,984.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$44,877.38

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26 South Carolina Cantaloupe 

Disease Survey

Clemson University will improve disease control for cantaloupe 

growers by carrying out a disease survey in the main South Carolina 

counties that produce cantaloupe, writing a Cantaloupe Fungicide 

Guide to target the main diseases, and educating stakeholders at 

grower meetings.

$28,790.00
238

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Developing strategies to 

manage premature peach 

tree decline from Cytospora 

canker in peach orchards

This study will investigate the occurrence of Cytospora canker, caused 

by Leucostoma personii, one of the leading causes of twig and scaffold 

limb dieback in South Carolina in all major production areas, 

investigate chemical and cultural management options, investigate 

breeding germplasm for existence of resistance genes, and inform 

growers through the production of extension materials, production 

meetings, and field days.

$50,000.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Good Agricultural Practices 

for field pea and kale 

nutritional breeding for 

South Carolina

The Clemson University will select field pea and kale varieties suitable 

for legume-vegetable cropping system. The objectives of this project 

are to (1) select suitable field pea cultivars for conventional legumevegetable cropping system; and (2) promote consumer demand for 

both of these crops via Clemson University “Tiger Garden” and “Lunch 

box” extension programs. The success of this study will be measured in 

terms of the increased production, increased legume –vegetable 

cropping systems, easy access nutritional quality data, increased 

consumer demand, and training of graduate students. The results will 

increase consumer demand with respect to the nutritional value of 

kale and field pea for increased human health benefits through 

scientific publications, consumer education, social media, and 

extension programs.

$40,372.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Improving irrigation 

scheduling for maximum 

fruit size in peach orchards 

in South Carolina

This project is aimed at generating science-based information and 

developing immediate-term solutions for optimizing peach fruit size of 

cultivars currently grown commercially. Clemson University will 

provide South Carolina peach growers with data and guidelines to 

improve irrigation scheduling and water use efficiency in peach 

orchards. The amount of water required and the most efficient time 

for irrigation required to maximize potential fruit size in peach trees 

will be determined for each specific fruit stage under different 

irrigation systems (drip or microsprinkler) in a commercial orchard 

setting. Results will be disseminated through grower meetings and 

regional grower conferences, field days, fact sheets, websites such as 

“About peaches”, and included in the Southeastern peach 

management and culture guide.

$32,206.00
239

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Detecting and managing the 

hypervirulent nematode 

Meloidogyne enterolobii on 

sweetpotato and pepper in 

South Carolina

Clemson University and the USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in 

Charleston, SC will determine the extent of the distribution of 

Meloidogyne enterolobii in South Carolina, especially in sweet potato 

and pepper fields. Impacts on crop yield and quality will be measured 

in infested fields. Greenhouse studies will identify the relative 

susceptibility and resistance of selected sweet potato and pepper 

plant introductions. Proposed control measures will include a program 

to monitor transplants of both crops to insure the pathogen will not 

spread or damage new crops.

$30,000.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Reducing the impacts of 

chemical insect pest 

management in cucurbit 

crops

Clemson University will examine control tactics for common, difficult 

to control pests (stink bugs, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles) in 

cucurbits that reduce the amount of pesticide used. The role of 

insecticides for controlling these pests on secondary pest outbreaks 

(aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies) whether the insecticides harm 

natural enemies or stimulate secondary pests will also be determined. 

Information obtained through the research will be presented at 

grower and professional society meetings, with the goal of decreasing 

insecticide applications in cucurbits, resulting in decreased cost and 

environmental impact.

$39,496.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Capture and Reuse of 

Phosphorus in Specialty 

Crop Production

Clemson University will determine the feasibility of dual use of a waste 

product from acid mine drainage reclamation (iron oxide), both for 

removing phosphorus from irrigation runoff and for reusing the 

phosphorus bound to the iron oxide as a potting substrate amendment 

for crops grown in container production systems. We will assess 

whether plants grown with iron oxide as a phosphorus source grow 

similarly to those grown using conventional fertilizers. We will also 

perform serial extractions on the substrates to determine the total 

amount of phosphorus absorbed, as well as the amount of phosphorus 

available in each fraction. The capacity to reduce phosphorus loss and 

to recycle phosphorus is both ecologically and economically relevant 

to specialty crop growers in SC. Growers who implement these 

technologies and practices can market their phosphorus reuse to 

environmentally-conscious consumers.

$48,338.60
240

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Development of a Website 

for Weed Control 

Recommendations in 

Specialty Crops in South 

Carolina

Clemson University will improve grower knowledge regarding weed 

control and quicken the response time to specialty crop growers 

seeking weed control recommendations by developing an interactive 

website that will be compatible on mobile smart phones. Growers will

be able to use the website to help with identification of weeds, and 

selection of a management practice to control the weed in season as 

well as cover crop recommendations to suppress the weed prior to the 

next growing season. A website with a drop-down menu will be 

designed to allow users to select a vegetable crop, then select a weed, 

and then select a weed control option, which will include product label 

recommendations as well as the locally evaluated herbicide studies.

$50,000.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Creating a bridge between 

specialty crop farms and ecommerce

The South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association (SCSCGA) will 

administer a one-day workshop for small-sized South Carolina specialty 

crop farmers that will provide brand development and e-commerce 

training with the goals of increasing specialty crop sales. Researchers 

from the University of South Carolina will conduct four (4) training 

sessions throughout the one-day workshop focusing on farm resource 

development, marketing strategies, brand creation, and leveraging 

social media. Specialty crop farmers will provide information preworkshop and post workshop through surveys to track the success of 

the workshop. Through pre-workshop surveys, a baseline of sales will 

be determined which will help with evaluating the effectiveness of the 

workshop.

$47,210.00
241

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Increasing Food Safety 

Technology Access through 

a Water Analysis Cost Share 

Program

The South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association (SCSCGA) and 

the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SDCA) will administer a 

new program designed to encourage on-farm water testing for 

specialty crop growers. This project will provide funding for a cost 

share reimbursement program for water quality analysis for generic E 

Coli and fecal Coliform bacteria for South Carolina specialty crop 

farmers. This program will be patterned on the successful cost share 

reimbursement programs currently offered through SCDA for both 

GAP Certification and Cold Storage Cost Share program.

This project will increase specialty crop farmers’ access to food safety 

technologies, increase specialty crop producers understanding of food 

safety threats, and mitigate potential bacterial contaminations from 

water sources by allowing specialty crop producers to establish proper 

on-farm pre-and post- harvest food safety protocols.

$48,000.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Increasing specialty crop 

growers’ capacity to expand 

markets through GAP cost 

share reimbursement 

program

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) Fresh Fruit and 

Vegetable Inspection Services will assist specialty crop growers seeking 

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification to expand their capacity 

for supplying produce to additional markets, thus increasing sales. This 

project seeks to build upon and enhance prior GAP audit cost share 

reimbursement projects by reimbursing farmers for the cost of audits 

conducted by SCDA in cooperation with the certifying agency, the 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thus, SCDA will 

conduct outreach at farmer events and through social media channels 

to inform growers about food safety trainings and on-farm assistance 

that is available to them. A favorable outcome for this project would 

be to not only see more specialty crop growers become GAP certified, 

but also to see an increase in farms that repeat certification and add 

market outlets to their specialty crop business leading to increased, 

sustainable income.

$47,550.00
242

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

South Carolina Grown 

Watermelon Promotion and 

Consumer Education

The South Carolina Watermelon Association in conjunction with the 

South Carolina Department of Agriculture, will promote and provide 

consumer education about South Carolina grown watermelons. By 

utilizing scientifically proven data that supports the “Watermelon Fuels 

Athletes” (WFA) slogan trademarked by the SCWA, educating 

consumers on the health benefits of consuming South Carolina grown 

watermelons will provide increased sales and financial support and 

stability to rural South Carolina communities. By promoting this 

specialty crop at several sporting events throughout the year, the 

association will effectively promote the message that watermelon is 

one specialty crop that is an excellent source of nutrients to replenish 

those lost while participating in sports and other strenuous activities. 

The goal is to promote healthy, sustainable eating habits while helping 

to continue to increase watermelon productivity and sales, while 

growing specialty crop agribusiness in rural South Carolina.

$15,000.00

South Carolina 

Department of 

Agriculture

$561,520.26

Increasing the Consumption 

of Specialty Crops in 

Spartanburg County through 

Mobile Markets

The Hub City Farmers' Market (HCFM) will increase the consumption 

of, access to, and sales of specialty crops by purchasing specialty crops 

from local farmers and reselling them at 400+ stops/year at 

businesses, community centers, schools, neighborhoods, and events 

across Spartanburg County. The Hub City Farmers’ Market is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing supply, demand, and access 

to healthy, local food in Spartanburg County through programs 

including a Saturday Market, a Mobile Market, a Double-SNAP 

program, an Urban Farm, a Community Garden, and a Farm Bag 

subscription program The Mobile Market will particularly focus on 

outreach to low-income communities by scheduling 50% of its stops in 

food deserts and offering Double-SNAP which gives SNAP recipients 

the opportunity to turn $40 into $90 each time they purchase food 

from the Mobile Market. All produce unsold on the Mobile Market will 

be donated to local soup kitchens and food pantries, further increasing 

the consumption of specialty crops in underserved communities.

$29,995.93

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$27,825.10
243

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49

Development of Statewide 

Farmers Markets 

Collaborative Support 

System and Specialty 

Crop/Local Foods Brand

South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) facilitates a plan 

to coordinate farmers markets statewide, while utilizing farmers 

market promotion resources and working to build a South Dakota 

Specialty Crop/Local Foods brand through a collaborative effort with 

the South Dakota Local Foods Coalition partners.

$52,487.00

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49

Specialty Crops in the 

Classroom: Educating South 

Dakota’s Youth through 

Mobile Classroom Growing 

Systems

The Edmunds Central School District aims to dramatically impact the 

exposure to and consumption of specialty crops by developing mobile 

classroom growing systems geared toward educating and providing 

opportunities to consume specialty crops not consumed by PreK-6 

students in South Dakota due to limitations associated with the per 

student allocation for general education and the Fresh Fruit and 

Vegetable Program and obtaining such crops beyond their growing 

season. This will be done in three phases: (1) involve research and 

development implemented by the Edmunds Central science 

department by perfecting protocols and curriculum associated with 

growing specialty crops in classrooms for education and consumption 

purposes during the 2017-18 school year; (2) successfully recruit 50 

teachers to implement the same mobile growing systems in their

classrooms; and (3) coordinate their usage during the 2018-19 and 

2019-20 school years. This project will expand curriculum support to 

middle school and high school grades through the development of indepth specialty crop curriculum support for higher level learning and 

expanding material and supplies support to an additional 17 teachers 

for the specialty crops cohort.

$27,835.39

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49 Rebel Earth- Specialty Crops 

Incubator Farm Project

Rebel Earth Farms goal is to create a new way of life for the Lakota 

people by combining specialty crops, traditional foods and hightunnels. Rebel Earth Farms is one of three proposed Incubator-Hub 

sites for South Dakota State University's Beginning Farmer and 

AgrAbility focused project. The farm will serve as the main high-tunnel 

production incubator site. This grant will cover the costs for three high 

tunnels to be used by the Lakota people to learn how-to cultivate and 

produce traditional Lakota wild gathered food as well as vegetables.

$40,000.00
244

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49

Connecting Students with 

Specialty Crop Growers: 

Beyond Internships

South Dakota State University will facilitate ongoing learning 

partnerships between specialty crop producers and undergraduate or 

graduate students on campus. In this pilot project, students will be 

paired with individual growers and learn about their crops, 

management, best practices, and challenges. The growers, students, 

and facilitator will meet initially and map out individual action plans 

for student and grower learning, and then fulfil or adapt the plans as 

needed over the following year. A major outcome will be students’ 

increased understanding of South Dakota specialty crop farms, 

management strategies for South Dakota soils, climate, and markets. 

Students will be better prepared for future positions either producing 

specialty crops or supporting specialty crop producers through allied 

industry or agencies. In addition, through student investigations, 

growers will have access to the specialized knowledge from 

agricultural researchers across the world. Students will also have the 

opportunity to direct applied research at the Local Foods Education 

Center on campus, to answer specific grower needs, and to present 

the results of their research.

$33,821.00

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49 Dakota Hops- Brewing beer 

with frozen hops

Dakota Hops LLC has developed three new methods for preserving 

hops for the brewing industry that include: mechanical (conventional) 

freezing of hops at 0 degrees Fahrenheit; cryogenic freezing of hops at 

minus 120 degrees Fahrenheit; and freeze-drying. Through this grant, 

they will continue testing hops to determine if these methods improve 

the flavor and aroma of beer.

$15,000.00

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49

Hydrothermal Applications 

for Sustainable Agriculture, 

hereafter referred to as 

HASA

Southern Hills Economic Development Corporation will partner with 

South Dakota State University to develop a heating system prototype 

using hydrothermal energy for year-round production.

$42,435.00
245

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49 State Fair- Wine Pavilion

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture will take a leadership role 

in organizing the Wine Pavilion at the South Dakota State Fair. The 

Wine Pavilion brings tremendous added value to the State Fair 

experience as well as allows for South Dakota wineries, breweries and 

distilleries to showcase their products and where consumers can taste 

and sample South Dakota wines, beers, and spirits. The goals of the 

project include: increasing the number of consumers who are exposed 

to and sample South Dakota wine, beer and spirits; increasing the 

exposure and name recognition for South Dakota wineries, breweries 

and distilleries, thereby increasing their sales; and expanding the scope 

of the pavilion to include more specialty producers such as microbreweries and distilleries.

$35,100.00

South Dakota 

Department of 

Agriculture

$326,644.49

SDSU- Increasing the 

Consumption of LocallyGrown Specialty Crops in 

Southeastern South Dakota

South Dakota State University Extension through community outreach 

efforts will promote local produce and educate the public about the 

availability of specialty crops in Sioux Falls, Brooking and Yankton 

regions. Through this grant the Dakota Fresh food hub will conduct 

chef and producer education classes in the southeastern region.

$49,911.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Tennessee Christmas Tree 

Growers - Professional 

Leadership and Economic 

Growth

The Tennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association (TCTGA) needs 

professional leadership to coordinate and facilitate growth in the real 

Christmas tree industry. TCTGA is a strategic organization that is vital 

to the state’s production and sales of real Christmas trees. Dedicated 

and sustainable leadership is critical to expanding marketing 

opportunities, crop research projects and educational events. This 

project will benefit all TCTGA members and provide business growth 

for existing and new Christmas tree farms.

$10,000.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Enhancing the Viability of 

Farmers' Markets in 

Tennessee through 

Statewide Resources, 

Education, and Marketing

The Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets will strengthen the 

viability and visibility of specialty crop producers throughout the state 

of Tennessee by creating and implementing both online and in-person 

educational programming and resources for farmers’ market managers 

and vendors, as well as marketing farmers’ markets to consumers and 

stakeholders as shopping destinations for specialty crops. Examples of 

shared resources include SNAP doubling programs for fresh fruits and 

vegetables, increasing consumption by children of fresh produce 

through education and sampling, and food safety training for 

managers and vendors.

$25,000.00
246

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15 Rebel Hollow Farm You Pick 

Fruit

Rebel Hollow Farm will plan and plant fruit to begin a pick your own 

operation in an area where fresh fruits and vegetables are not 

available. In addition to providing a source of fresh fruit to an area 

where the nearest grocery store with fresh fruit is 20 miles or more 

from home, we will provide education on how to prepare the fruit and 

a field day to others to grow fruit as a way to diversify their farms.

$12,136.50

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Enhancing The 

Competitiveness of 

Specialty Crops Through 

Increased Sales for 

Producers in Northeast 

Tennessee

Jonesborough Locally Grown will increase sales for Northeast 

Tennessee specialty crops by 20 percent at the Boone Street Market 

by implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy that promotes 

monthly featured specialty crops through traditional and social media 

outlets, product sampling, and appearances on local television.

$15,000.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15 Landmark Urban Farmer 

Program

Landmark Training Development Company’s mission is to create 

sustainable agricultural environments in food desert communities and 

otherwise, in the State of Tennessee and elsewhere across the United 

States of America. The purpose of this project is to instruct, train, and 

develop urban farmers in inner city neighborhoods, specifically food 

desert communities in Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee, to 

cause a more immediate access to fresh specialty crops for those 

residents which will create increased access and consumption of 

specialty crops.

$18,000.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15 Good Agricultural Practices 

(GAP) Audit Cost Share

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture would like to increase the 

number of GAP certified producers offering specialty crops in 

Tennessee. We plan to mitigate the cost of GAP audits for producers in 

the state by providing a cost share. GAP Certification allows producers 

to expand their markets to businesses such as grocery stores and 

institutional entities such as hospitals with stringent food safety 

requirements. This will allow producers to increase their income, and 

help to ensure proper food safety for specialty crops in the state of 

Tennessee.

$46,000.00
247

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Hops and Other Specialty 

Crops Grown in Organic 

Systems in the Mid-South

Growing specialty crops organically such as vegetables and hops in 

Tennessee is a potential new endeavor that could create extra income 

and jobs for Tennessee; however, there isn't much research or 

information on organically-grown produce in Tennessee. Grower 

interest in diversifying their farm is ever increasing, and the 

microbrewery and craft beer industry is on the rise and will probably 

increase in the future. Funding will be used to establish a hop yard at 

Agricenter International’s Organic Resource Center (ORC). The ORC 

has been established and specialty crop research is currently 

underway. The results from the research conducted by Agricenter 

International will provide growers the information that they need to 

successfully grow vegetables and hops. The data that is generated will 

then be dispersed to growers throughout Tennessee.

$24,273.66

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15 Growing Food - Growing 

People

Cul2vate grows and delivers nutritional food into local food deserts, 

providing access to nutritious food in those areas. All food is grown in 

the context of a 24-week agricultural educational/training program 

that targets the chronically unemployed with agriculture, base skills, 

and job readiness training, preparing them for placement with local 

business partners. Prior graduates of the program are now working to 

assist and education customers in local lawn and garden centers, as 

well as develop specialty crop access and revenue at a local retail 

nursery. This project will also annually educate 1,000 individuals who 

visit and work on the farm in 3-hour, pre-scheduled increments.

$25,000.00
248

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Advancing Viticulture in 

Tennessee Through 

Demonstration and 

Education at Dyersburg 

State Community College

The grape and wine industry is a source of large potential growth for 

the state of Tennessee, especially rural, agricultural areas. A critical 

lack of infrastructure and sustained support for the industry continues 

to hinder large scale growth. To this end, Dyersburg State Community 

College (DSCC) will establish viticulture demonstration plots to serve as 

the starting point for an education and outreach center of operations 

for the wine and grape industry in Tennessee. Current grape and wine 

producers themselves are eager to expand their knowledge base and 

have access to hire trained professionals to work in their businesses. 

As the agricultural climate continues to change, the need for farmers 

to diversify their cash crops and sources of farm income continues to 

grow. DSCC can be a strong industry partner with extensive resources 

to support the industry in our Small Business Development Center and 

Continuing Education Divisions and is primed to grow the viticulture 

industry in Tennessee.

$24,532.89

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Metro Nashville Public 

Schools (MNPS) 2018 

"Farmers Market"

This project is designed to grow specific vegetables in school gardens 

and then market and sell our products at a school Farmers’ Market. 

We will host a student-run farmers’ market in collaboration with each 

of six pilot schools. Each pilot school will have a Specialty Crop Garden 

growing peppers, onions, cilantro, and tomatoes. The Pilot Schools will 

come together in groups to learn the challenges and rewards of 

running a small business by selling and marketing their own Specialty 

Crop Garden vegetables and homemade salsa. For this Specialty Crop 

Garden project, the focus will be on six high-needs schools: Casa 

Azafrán Early Learning Center, Fall Hamilton Elementary, Glenview 

Elementary, Rosebank Elementary, Rose Park Middle and Wright 

Middle. The USDA Specialty Crop Block planning grant will allow 

integration of nutrition education. We will educate students and 

teachers about the process that moves food from the garden to 

school, and add healthy food preparation classes, while working to 

address the nutrition disparity felt by low-income families.

$20,000.00
249

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Scientific Validation and 

Export Market Validation of 

Wild Growth Characteristics 

of Commercial-Scale 

Ginseng Seedlings 

Production

An existing grant at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is 

focused on a pilot process for micropropagation techniques producing 

up to 1,000 seedlings. This new project will focus on industrial 

techniques for producing hundreds of thousands of seedlings in a costeffective manner. This large number of seedlings is required if 

sustainability is to be reached. Micropropagation techniques for 

seedling production provide the best opportunity to overcome existing 

sustainable production constraints (unavailability of wild seeds, seed 

mortality, and the long growth cycle).

We will also confirm with direct buyers the market acceptability of 

wild simulated ginseng grown from seedlings and communicate the 

results to stakeholders through publications, seminars, web presence, 

the University of Tennessee extension service, and direct contacts. The 

outcomes of this project will not only eliminate the environmental 

pressure on the wild ginseng ecosystem from overharvesting but also 

open direct market channels for Tennessee farmers through a 

financially incentivized growth and marketing program that increases 

gross income and reduces risks for the farmers.

$29,915.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Creating Demand for TN 

Specialty Crop Growers 

through a Children's 

Farmers' Market

Rural Resources, Inc. will increase consumption and enhance access 

and awareness of Tennessee Specialty Crops by establishing a 

Children's Farmers' Market at one elementary school. The project will 

investigate whether this activity, delivered intensively, can create a 

demand at local farmers markets as well as change BMI scores of the 

students and teachers. Results will be disseminated through teacher 

in-services and coordinated school health educators.

$25,000.00
250

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Pick TN Conference 

Speakers and Conference 

Coordinator

Tennessee has a strong rural economy and it is essential that we 

maintain that strong economy for the agricultural future of our state. 

The horticulture, fruit and vegetable industries play a critical part in 

keeping agricultural assets viable through the enhancement of 

expanded marketing opportunities and employment. An annual 

conference available to participants planned by an Executive Director 

dedicated to the conference will increase the knowledge of farmers for 

better revenue. The objective of the Pick TN Conference is to provide 

educational and training resources and improve networking for 

growers, educators, markets, industry suppliers and agencies to 

increase competitiveness and success of special crops in Tennessee. 

The second objective will be to Utilize the vast network of statewide 

associations and agencies to retain industry leaders and experts to 

provide educational workshops, training (food safety, GAP 

certification, etc.) and marketing expertise to conference attendees.

$50,000.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Tennessee Grape and Wine 

Industry: Development and 

Implementation of 

Marketing/Revenue Growth 

Opportunities

The Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Alliance (TFWA) requires 

professional, dedicated leadership to coordinate and manage potential 

explosive growth in the Tennessee grape and wine industry. TFWA is a 

vital industry asset that is central to the state’s position as a leader in 

regional wine production, and dedicated and sustainable leadership is 

critical to expanding marketing opportunities and continued industry 

growth, particularly benefiting rural areas in Tennessee. TFWA’s 

current board/leadership is 100 percent volunteer and is made up 

from dedicated members of the industry – both farmers and value 

added producers. TFWA’s membership is made up of 70% of the 

wineries and commercial vineyards in the state, supporting the 

purchase and utilization of nearly all grapes grown in Tennessee for 

vinification (value-added). The objectives are to Provide partial salary 

offset in 2018 and 2019 for TFWA Executive Director and Provide TDY 

funding for the Executive Director to travel to Ohio, Virginia and North 

Carolina and research what has and has not worked in these states 

relative to the grape and wine industry.

$50,000.00
251

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Elderberry Cultivation and 

Value-added Processing on 

the South Cumberland 

Plateau

The University of the South will conduct research on North American 

elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) cultivation on the South 

Cumberland Plateau and offer educational materials and programming 

to local farmers who are interested in producing and marketing shelf 

stable, high-value elderflower and elderberry products. During the 

first year, six trial orchards will be planted and data will be collected 

from each site during years 1, 2 and 3. During year 1, 2 and 3 a total of 

10 events will be hosted about specific requirements for cultivation 

and harvesting of elderberry as a specialty crop and two workshops 

will be hosted about food safety and value-added production. 

The University Farm is a co-curricular resource at the University of the 

South with two full time staff members. Four VISTA/AmeriCorps 

members also use the University Farm as their home site for outreach 

projects to alleviate poverty in the tri-county area.

$19,992.00
252

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Integrating Row Covers into 

organic Production Systems 

for Specialty Leafy 

Vegetables to Strengthening 

the Sustainability of LimitedResource Farmers

Tennessee State University (TSU) Organic Agriculture Research 

program is teaming up with TSU Cooperative Extension staff, new 

farmer academy, and participating growers to carry out on-farm trials. 

The specific objectives are 1) to evaluate row covers into organic 

production systems of specialty greens to improve growing conditions, 

yield and productivity; 2) to demonstrate the reduction in pest and 

disease incidence; 3) to conduct field days and outreach for 

dissemination of information to farmers, stakeholders and extension 

personnel. Knowledge gathered would be shared through field days, 

growers’ meetings, extension publications, mentoring, technical 

assistance, and the cooperative extension website of the University. 

The target groups are military veterans, socially disadvantaged small 

farmers, and limited-resource small farmers (transitional and organic) 

and new farmers. Under the direction of the Center for Profitable 

Agriculture, this project will embark on a collaboration with the 

University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) to develop 

six fact sheets for specialty crops and/or production and marketing 

systems for specialty crop growers. The exact topics for the fact sheets 

will be decided by an advisory committee. The published fact sheets 

(following the existing CCD ‘crop profile’ model) will be utilized in six 

outreach sessions (workshops/trainings) with agricultural Extension 

agents, specialty crop producers, and other agriculture leaders in 

Tennessee. An estimated 22 County Agriculture Extension Agents will 

be trained to use the fact sheets with specialty crop growers. In 

addition, the fact sheets will be distributed to 1400 specialty crop 

growers through workshops, seminars, conferences, producer 

meetings, and trade shows. The fact sheets will be used in on-site 

instruction with specialty crop growers through workshop and 

educational meetings. This project will develop tools for County 

Agriculture Extension agents, other agriculture leaders and specialty 

crop growers to use in the evaluation, development, and marketing of 

specialty crops. It provides a strong learning foundation for specialty 

crop growers who are considering the productions of alternative 

specialty crops and alternative production systems for specialty crops. 

The program also expands opportunities for marketing success of 

specialty crops in Tennessee.

$20,000.00
253

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Developing and Utilizing 

Crop Profiles for Tennessee 

Specialty Crops Growers 

(Crop Profiles)

Under the direction of the Center for Profitable Agriculture, the 

“Developing and Utilizing Crop Profiles for Tennessee Specialty Crop 

Growers” (Crop Profiles) project will embark on a collaboration with 

the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) to 

develop six fact sheets for specialty crops and/or production and 

marketing systems for specialty crop growers. The exact topics for the 

fact sheets will be decided by an advisory committee. The published 

fact sheets (following the existing CCD ‘crop profile’ model) will be 

utilized in 6 outreach sessions (workshops/trainings) with agricultural 

Extension agents, specialty crop producers and other agriculture 

leaders in Tennessee. An estimated 22 County Agriculture Extension 

Agents will be trained to use the fact sheets with specialty crop 

growers. In addition, the fact sheets will be distributed to 1400 

specialty crop growers through workshops, seminars, conferences, 

producer meetings and trade shows. The fact sheets will be used in 

on-site instruction with specialty 86 crop growers through workshop 

and educational meetings. This project will develop tools for County 

Agriculture Extension agents, other agriculture leaders and specialty 

crop growers to use in the evaluation, development and marketing of 

specialty crops. It provides a strong learning foundation for specialty 

crop growers who are considering the productions of alternative 

specialty crops and alternative production systems for specialty crops. 

The program also expands opportunities for marketing success of 

specialty crops in Tennessee.

$36,000.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15

Comparing Lettuce Yield and 

Quality Using Drip and 

Overhead Irrigation on 

Biodegradable Mulches

The University of Tennessee (UT) will compare disease incidence and 

severity, yield and quality of lettuce produced with drip and overhead 

irrigation on biodegradable mulch. If the quality is found to be 

comparable between these two growing systems, specialty crop 

growers could enhance the sustainability of their production by saving 

on irrigation inputs and end of the season plastic removal costs, while 

also reducing landfill waste by transitioning from traditional 

polyethylene plastic mulch to biodegradable mulch and more 

permanent irrigation systems versus drip tape that is disposed of after 

one season. Results from this study will be shared through videos, 

factsheets, on-farm workshops and field days, as well as on the UT 

Vegetable website.

$30,718.00
254

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15 Conference Scholarships

The Tennessee Agritourism Association (TAA) will increase its 

member’s knowledge of growing, marketing, and selling specialty 

crops. To do this, we will award a total of 12 scholarships over two 

years to NAFDMA conferences across the United States. These 

scholarships will be used to cover partial expenses of the recipients. 

These scholarships will be used for to North American Farm Direct 

Marketing annual conference. The applicants will present the TAA 

board an essay and application for these scholarships. It will be 

competitive, and the winners will be chosen based on their 

membership participation.

$24,000.00

Tennessee 

Department of 

Agriculture

$555,605.15 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding

$49,596.84

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Developing Gummy Stem 

Blight Resistant Watermelon 

Cultivars Using 

Metabolimics

The Texas A&M University Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center 

(VFIC) will lead a multidisciplinary team composed of the Texas 

Watermelon Association, HEB, University of Georgia, Texas Plant 

Disease Diagnostic Clinic Lab and several watermelon producers 

(Bagley Production Co., Pennington Farms, Prukop Farms and 

Mandujuan Brothers) to screen Gummy Stem Blight (GSB)-resistant 

greenhouse and field grown cultivars of watermelon using biochemical 

and metabolomic approaches the goal is confirming GSB-resistant 

watermelon cultivars suitable for Texas growing conditions and to 

minimize the watermelon yield losses in the region.

$164,160.90
255

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Research And Survey 

Programs Aimed At 

Reducing Losses to Potato 

Zebra Chip in Texas

Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Amarillo, in collaboration with Black 

Gold Farms, will conduct psyllid surveys and research that will lead to 

reduction in losses from potato zebra chip in Texas. Potato psyllids 

transmit the bacterial pathogen, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter 

solanacearum’ (Lso), which causes potato zebra chip. In this project, 

weekly psyllid surveys will be conducted to provide growers with 

psyllid incidence and Lso test results in a timely manner. In addition, 

currently there are two genetically distinct strains of Lso (A & B) and 

preliminary research results show that Lso A is less pathogenic than 

Lso B on potatoes. Furthermore, psyllids with Lso A do not reproduce 

well or cause severe symptoms on peppers. These preliminary results 

will be further investigated under field conditions. The outcome of 

these studies will help growers decide if pesticide applications are 

necessary when Lso A is the dominant strain of the pathogen in their 

fields, and potentially reduce the frequency and amount of insecticide 

introduced into the environment. This in turn would result in increased 

environmental and economic sustainability for potato growers in 

Texas. Results will be disseminated through multiple outlets including 

on-online services, e-mail listserv, printed materials, field days, and 

other extension service outlets.

$112,538.70
256

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Developing Strategies For 

Mitigating The Impacts of 

Freezing and Cotton Root 

Rot On Olive Production in 

Texas

The Texas Association of Olive Oil (TXAOO) will undertake collaborative 

work with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at 

Uvalde to develop strategies to minimize losses due to freezing and 

Cotton Root Rot (CRR) disease in olive orchards. A variety trial is 

needed to determine the response of non-regional germplasm to CRR. 

If any tolerance is noted, it could provide valuable insight to 

overcoming challenges presented by this pathogen. As a first step 

towards developing freeze tolerant olive varieties for the state, we will 

use Texas adapted varieties and non-regionally adapted germplasm to 

identify potential genetic and biochemical markers for evaluating the 

freeze tolerance using established techniques. CRR, a widespread soilborne pathogen in the southwest United States caused by 

Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, poses a significant challenge to the 

production of Texas adapted olive varieties, as all are susceptible. The 

proposed project would enable olive growers in Texas to be better 

environmental and resource stewards for managing cold damage and 

disease in their orchards and provide risk information when making 

decisions regarding costly orchard installation at new sites. The 

outcome of this project is expected to benchmark efforts to develop 

freeze and cotton root rot tolerant varieties for the Texas region.

$102,428.10
257

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Feasibility of Establishing 

Vegetable Seed Production 

in The Texas High Plains

Texas A&M AgriLife Research, in collaboration with West Texas A&M 

University, will conduct research to determine the feasibility of 

vegetable seed production in the Texas High Plains. The study will 

include an investigation of the economic, environmental and biological 

factors that will most impact growers who are interested in 

diversifying their farming operation, with vegetable seed production. 

Because of its long growing season and favorable climate, the High 

Plains is already a major seed production region for field crops such as 

corn, sorghum and wheat. Inclusion of vegetable seed production to 

an existing system could provide economic stability through crop 

diversification. Specifically, the project initially will focus on jalapeno 

peppers and heirloom tomatoes and include an economic analysis for 

seed production, including organic vs. traditional production, a 

comparison of seed production in protected structures vs. open field 

production, and a determination of the primary insect and disease 

pests that could impact production. Seed production for high value 

vegetable crops has potential to increase economic sustainability for 

farmers currently involved in seed production for field crops. However, 

it also offers potential as a lucrative crop option for small acreage, 

beginning farmers.

$128,360.70

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Wash Your Produce -

Produce Safety Begins With 

You

Through a cooperative agreement with the FDA, the TDA Office of 

Produce Safety is working to establish a farm inspection program to 

minimize foodborne illness resulting from Texas growers that are 

covered under the new Produce Safety Rule. This program does not 

include consumer produce safety leaving an important piece of the 

supply chain vulnerable to pathogens. The FDA has indicated about a 

third of consumers did not wash produce using the FDA recommended 

method, and almost half reported that they only held the produce 

under running water1. Washing raw vegetables and fruits before 

consumption may reduce the likelihood of ingesting pathogens, 

pesticide residues or dirt.

$45,000.00
258

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Investigating The Potential 

For Golden Kiwifruit As A 

New Specialty Crop In Texas

The Nacogdoches-Nacogdoches County Economic Development 

Corporation (NEDCO) will partner with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 

and Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), Nacogdoches, to 

conduct a Texas Kiwifruit Evaluation Project. This project builds on 

crops at a small Kiwifruit planting at SFASU established in 2011 which 

can best be described as the first kiwifruit production in Texas history. 

This project holds the promise of introducing a new specialty crop to 

the Texas market. Results from this project will be made available via 

educational resources, field day events and other media, to producers 

as well as the general public.

$91,512.90

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Protection of The Citrus 

Industry Through 

Preventative Monitoring 

and Education

The Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation (TCPDMC) 

in cooperation with USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) 

will provide assistance in detection and education of quarantinable 

pests and diseases. These pests and diseases include Asian Citrus 

Psyllid (ACP), Mexican Fruit Fly (MFF), Citrus Canker and 

Huanglongbing (HLB). Through scouting efforts in both commercial 

groves and residential areas, trap monitoring, fruit removal and 

educational presentations for growers and residents in both English 

and Spanish, TCPDMC will provide a reduction of quarantines and 

reduce the pest populations.

$250,000.00

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36 Retail Promotions and 

Consumer Education

The fruit, vegetable and nursery industries continue to play a vital part 

of the Texas agricultural economy. The Texas Department of 

Agriculture (TDA) will develop creative marketing programs designed 

to increase consumer visibility and awareness of Texas’ commodities 

throughout retailers across the state. TDA will also work to ensure 

consumers are aware of what Texas fruits and vegetables are in season 

throughout the year.

Additionally, TDA will offer mini grants to retailers and/or farmers 

markets to promote Texas seasonal produce and education. Mini 

grants will also be available to school districts and/or charter schools

to assist in educational projects to create drought-tolerant learning 

space areas on campus. This project will focus on the use of Texas 

native plants.

$225,903.49
259

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Enhancing Productivity and 

Resiliency of Texas-Grown 

Strawberries Through 

Research and Grower 

Training

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in collaboration with Prairie View A&M, 

GROW North Texas (a non-profit organization), the Poteet Strawberry 

Festival Association, and six strawberry growers will evaluate specific 

needs that are critical to sustaining the Texas strawberry industry . 

Through grower, industry, and university collaboration, we expect to 

increase in-state acreage, the number of growers and the availability 

of Texas-grown strawberries to consumers. The project will evaluate 

five goals to increase yield and quality through (1) using bio-based 

products (Trichoderma, Bacillus, and mycorrhizae to enhance root 

zone health, increase rooting and strawberry crown production; (2) 

incorporate low tunnel technology to protect quality and prevent fruit 

diseases; (3) provide alternative fertilizer management strategies that 

reduce labor and improve nutrient uptake by variety in the diverse 

regional climates; (4) improve weed management strategies to reduce 

hand-weeding costs; and (5) provide Texas strawberry growers, agents 

and specialists, and the industry with up-to-date, intensive, and 

regionally appropriate production training through statewide 

workshops, on-farm field days, and online training programs. The 

overall goal of this project is to increase grower productivity, 

profitability, and resiliency while adding a greater supply of 

strawberries for Texas consumers.

$68,862.60
260

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Enhancing Pepper Crop 

Health and Value by 

Integrating Novel Genetics 

and Mineral Nutrition 

Management

This proposal is being submitted by Texas A&M University in 

collaboration with members of the South Texas Vegetable Association 

to address the key focus area of Plant Health as it pertains to fresh 

pepper production. This project will evaluate new advanced pepper 

genetic lines from Texas A&M University, along with novel mineral 

fertility regimes to reduce losses from heat, bacterial leaf spot, viruses, 

pepper weevils and broad mites. In addition, the project will engage 

with some seed producers to examine ways to reduce hybrid pepper 

seed costs for direct seeding. The project will benefit pepper growers 

in Texas through availability of improved cultivars and nutrition 

strategies to combat disease and pest problems. This project will (1) 

conduct on-farm screening of newly-developed stress-resistant, TAMU 

pepper varieties and 2) develop cultivar-specific nutrient management 

guidelines to enhance systemic crop stress resistance to biotic and 

abiotic environmental stresses. The proposed project will focus on 

three mineral elements (namely calcium, potassium, and sulfur) that 

have been linked with disease, pest, and environmental stress 

tolerance.

$129,512.70

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Continued Hops Variety 

Evaluation and 

Development of Nutrient 

Recommendations For Yield 

and Quality

Following up on an initial year of suitable hops variety evaluations for 

commercial production in Texas, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will 

lead a project in partnership with Texoma Craft Beverage Alliance 

(TCBA) to continue evaluating varieties in year two at five sites 

established in year one. In addition to this task, TCBA and AgriLife 

Extension will begin evaluating the response of the 2 year old bines 

and new 1 year old bines in terms of overall yield and quality to rates 

of nitrogen application. General tasks include continued monitoring of 

soil and hops plant tissue nutrient status in-season, disease and pest 

pressures, identification of- and cooperation with new growers, 

evaluation of appropriate nitrogen fertilizer rates, and post-harvest 

analysis of hops cones for desirable chemical qualities. Expected 

outcomes include establishment of a set of best recommended 

varieties and practices for yield and quality to reduce risk of growers 

entering this exciting new horticultural niche in Texas. These outcomes 

will be communicated via outreach and education through print, 

online, and in-person trainings.

$63,403.20
261

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Tomato Grafting: Novel 

Approaches For 

Conventional and Organic 

Systems in Texas- Phase II

This project will be conducted by the Uvalde County Underground 

Water Conservation District (UCUWCD, primary applicant) and Texas 

A&M AgriLife Research (partner). If awarded, UCUWCD will establish a 

contractual agreement or contractual relationship with the Texas 

Department of Agriculture to lead and execute the project in 

conjunction with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Uvalde; and 

collaborators in Seguin, College Station, Overton, Weslaco and 

Lubbock. Current commercial tomato cultivars used in Texas are 

susceptible to soil-borne and leaf diseases, especially under high 

tunnels with intensive cultivation and minimum rotation. During Phase 

I applied research has been conducted to screen and identify more 

stable and effective rootstock/scion combinations for tomato 

production and markets in Texas. In the proposed Phase II of the 

project, we will emphasize production of grafted combinations 

selected from Phase I in order to provide Texas farmers alternative 

production systems to effectively manage diseases and enhance fruit 

yields and quality of tomato grown under protected environments 

(high tunnel) and open-field (organic and conventional) in the south, 

southwest, northeast, northwest, and central Texas regions. The 

project will enhance the competitiveness of tomato production in 

Texas by developing research-based grafting systems to implement in 

high tunnel and organic/conventional fields and by disseminating 

results to stakeholders through growers’ meetings and field days.

$125,663.65
262

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36 Developing A Prospective 

Winegrower Guide

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service seeks to produce a guide for 

prospective grape growers in Texas. Since 2001 the number of 

wineries in Texas has increased from 46 to more than 450 today. The 

increase in wineries and demand for Texas grown grapes has been the 

driver behind an expansion of grape acreage. The proposed guide will 

provide prospective grape growers with important information 

regarding the appropriate steps to getting started as well as 

background on vineyard site selection, vineyard economics, grape 

varieties and rootstocks, equipment needs, and production practices. 

This guide will provide growers with accurate, up- to- date information 

to ensure a healthy start to their vineyard enterprise. The prospective 

winegrower guides will be disseminated at Texas A&M AgriLife 

Extension Service educational programs and industry conferences such 

as the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association Annual Conference, 

Newsom Grape Day, and the Hill Country Wineries Symposium.

$12,308.40

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$242,991.17

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Improving The Productivity 

and Quality of Texas Grapes 

and Wines

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in partnership with the High 

Plains Winegrowers Association, aims to improve the productivity and 

quality of Texas grapes and wines through a research and extension 

project to determine the relationship between crop load and grape 

and wine quality, and the usage of mechanical fruit thinning to reach 

target yields. An economic analysis of these practices will facilitate the 

adoption of techniques best suited for individual vineyard businesses. 

A guide and a video on how to mechanically thin using a harvester will 

be available for growers and wine industry. This project serves to 

enhance the competiveness of grape production in Texas.

$56,333.70
263

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

Industry Workforce 

Enhancement of Specialty 

Crop Marketing and 

Education

The proposed project covers enhancement targeted to the Green 

Industry’s workforce through increased knowledge of sales and 

marketing through increased educational resources. In the latest 

Economic Impact Report by Texas A&M University, Texas’ Green 

Industry was estimated at over $20 billion, with over 250,000 jobs 

within Texas’ workforce. This industry continues to gain momentum. 

Every year, more and more people are needed to continue to move 

this industry forward; however, dwindling enrollment in higher 

education programs have necessitated cuts in many options available 

for continued learning.

Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) continues to be a 

dominant source of education for Texas’ Green Industry; however, 

resources and access to new and advanced training have become 

limited. Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG), TNLA will 

develop new programs to be added to certificate programs and other 

education platforms. Specific, targeted programs such as internship, 

ambassador programs and train-the-trainer programs will also be 

developed. Experts from all areas of the industry will convene at an 

Issues & Industry Summit to discuss and propose current needs for the 

Green Industry. This summit will set the stage for all the content to be 

developed. All new programs will be educated on and publicized to 

industry professionals at the Industry Conference which will be the 

cornerstone to all programs to get known by the industry. These 

programs will be used to aid in, and lead, the development of an 

educated, resourceful and prosperous workforce for the now 3rd 

largest agricultural crop in Texas.

$91,466.55
264

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Texas Department 

of Agriculture $2,099,728.36

A Systematic Review of 

Listeria Growth and Survival 

on Fruit and Vegetable 

Surfaces

The Texas International Produce Association will partner with the 

Center for Produce Safety (CPS) who will partner with Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) to expand 

knowledge on Listeria growth potential and kinetics on intact, whole 

produce. Currently, there are critical knowledge gaps regarding the risk 

of Listeria monocytogenes in raw agricultural commodities (i.e., whole 

fruits and vegetables that are not cut or processed). This project will 

determine L. monocytogenes growth and survival potential on intact 

whole produce commodities and develop quantitative risk models for 

selected commodities that demonstrate growth or significant survival 

potential. These goals will be achieved using a three-pronged approach 

of (i) investigating prior information (systematic literature review), (ii) 

filling critical data gaps (L. monocytogenes growth and survival 

experiments), and (iii) developing risk models to assist the industry in 

managing the risk from L. monocytogenes contamination. Knowledge 

on which whole produce commodities support L. monocytogenes 

growth and/or survival potential at various handling and storing 

conditions observed along the supply chain will be developed.

$186,523.00

U.S. Virgin Islands 

Department of 

Agriculture

$241,757.76

Propagating Guavaberry: A 

High Valued Native Virgin 

Island Fruit Tree

The University of the Virgin Islands will collect seeds of Guavaberry 

(Myrciaria floribunda), a fruit tree native to the Virgin Islands and 

investigate different pre-germinative seed treatments along with 

vegetative propagation in order to develop nursery protocols for 

planting stock. The fruits of Myrciaria floribunda are used to make 

Guavaberry liqueur, juices, jams, jellies, and flavored ice cream. One 

pound of fresh fruit sells for approximately $35. The goal of the project 

is to produce viable plantlets from the various germinated seedlings to 

give to farmers along with a fact sheet for the general public.

$45,000.00

U.S. Virgin Islands 

Department of 

Agriculture

$241,757.76 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$19,340.38
265

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

U.S. Virgin Islands 

Department of 

Agriculture

$241,757.76

Establishment of an 

Indigenous Fruit Treeplanting Program

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture is seeking to 

establish an indigenous fruit tree-planting program to replace the 

native fruit trees that were destroyed as a result of hurricanes Maria 

and Irma. Kenneth Mapp, VI Governor, stated in his State of the 

Territory address that “the agriculture industry suffered severely under 

the storms and that most VI farmers are experiencing hardship and 

severe losses of their livestock, fruit trees, crops, and infrastructure.” 

Native trees are part of the cultural tradition of the VI. This project will 

begin to repair the severe loss to the competitiveness of specialty 

crops in the U.S. Virgin Islands territory due to storms. Indigenous 

fruits are a vital source or fiber and vitamin C and can act as a ‘safety 

net’ when other fruits are scarce since the trees are well-adapted to 

local conditions. In three to five years after the fruit trees are planted, 

project outcomes include a severe reduction in import, energy, and 

storm water management costs.

$64,334.47

U.S. Virgin Islands 

Department of 

Agriculture

$241,757.76 Establishment of a Bee 

Keeping Colony Program

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture is seeking to 

establish a Bee Keeping Colony Program. The U.S. Virgin Islands 

received two category 5 Hurricanes within a span of 15 days of each 

other; as a result, beekeepers on both Island districts lost a significant 

amount of bees and hives. This initiative seeks to increase production 

of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and forage crops in order to 

enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in the U.S. 

Virgin Islands. A decrease in bees equates to less pollination, which is 

the movement of pollen from the anthers (male parts of a flower) to 

the stigmas (female part of a flower). Through this project, VI 

Department of Agriculture will host seminar(s) to educate farmers on 

the benefits of bee keeping and agriculture. Participants who complete 

a seminar on bee keeping will receive a bee keeper kit.

$42,000.00
266

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

U.S. Virgin Islands 

Department of 

Agriculture

$241,757.76

To Establish a Compost 

Program, Which Will Seek to 

Turn Green Waste into 

Compost for Soil 

Amendment

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture is seeking to 

establish a compost program. This program seeks to turn green waste 

into compost and then use it to amend the soil. When compost is 

added to the soil, it improves and promotes healthy production of 

locally grown fruit and vegetables. According to the 1994 Soil Survey 

Illustration A.2 of the United States Department of Agriculture, the 

main problem confronting VI Agricultural producers is retaining 

sufficient soil moisture to produce crops that are otherwise suited to 

the soils and climate and that poor soil management causes a 

depletion of the ground water supply. Producing compost as a soil 

amendment is necessary to improve the competitiveness as well as the 

quality and quantity of specialty crop yields in VI.

$71,080.00

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Sustaining Green Industry 

Production Through 

Irrigation Management by 

Low-cost Microcontrollers

Utah State University will establish an agreement or contractual 

relationship with the State department of agriculture to lead and 

execute the project to demonstrate an emerging sensor-based 

precision irrigation system in a local nursery and compare the 

irrigation efficiency of this new system with standard nursery irrigation 

practices. The results from this project along with benefits of the 

sensor-based precision irrigation system will be disseminated to 

nursery and greenhouse growers through field days and/or workshops. 

Adoption of this smart technology by local growers in their specialty 

crop production could enhance the competitiveness of Utah green 

industry through increased water use efficiency, reduced pesticide and 

fertilizer runoff, reduced inputs, and/or increased economic return.

$39,875.00

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Developing the Four Corners 

Potato (Solanum jamesii) for 

Market

The Four Corners Potato project will facilitate the development of a 

native Utah potato for cultivation, marketing and conservation that 

benefits communities in southern Utah. The project requires 

nutritional research to select the best genetic sources, developing 

practical growth and harvest methods, working with local people to 

develop marketing and providing conservation guidance to landownerstewards. Our project's goal is to select, grow and distribute the besttasting and most nutritious potato on the market. Having a 10,900-

year history of use among Native Americans, along with importance to 

pioneers and pioneer descendants, make the Four Corners potato a 

uniquely Utah product.

$95,710.84
267

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Enhancing Specialty Food 

Product Producers Sourcing 

Local Produce for Products

Utah State University Extension will work with Utah’s Own to enhance 

access to local specialty crops by local food product entrepreneurs. 

This will be done by holding six events where local farmers and 

entrepreneurs can establish business contacts. It will also use focus 

groups and other techniques to examine the needs of farmers and 

entrepreneurs and how to facilitate the use of local fruits and 

vegetables in their products.

$20,191.00

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Using Weather Data to 

Predict Orchard Crop 

Development

The Utah State University Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, 

working with the Utah Climate Center and USU Extension will integrate 

existing crop growth models for tart cherry, peach and apple into the 

Climate Center’s Plant Management website. USU Extension agents 

working directly with growers in Utah’s major fruit growing areas will 

collect data on phenological growth stages in commercial orchards 

that are near automated weather stations to validate these models. 

Utah fruit growers will be able to access these models to schedule 

labor requirements for frost protection, fruit thinning, harvest and 

orchard pruning.

$49,012.00

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Urban & Small Farm 

Specialty Crop 

Hydroponic/Aquaponic 

Feasibility Study & 

Demonstration

The USU Botanical Center in Kaysville will create a teaching garden, 

demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of growing with 

hydroponic and aquaponic systems, and geothermal heating; 

knowledge of methods and systems used will be disseminated through 

USU Extension activities and the Utah Urban and Small Farms 

Conference in February 2020 and 2021. When available, findings will 

be presented at national conferences of Extension and related industry 

meetings.

$79,144.00

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Piute County Specialty Crops 

Awareness and Utilization to 

Address Intergenerational 

Poverty and Food Deserts

In Piute county the nearest large grocery store is at least one hour 

away from all of the communities within Piute. This lack of affordable

produce creates a food desert and in turn adds to the problem of 

intergenerational poverty because of the limited access to fresh fruits 

and vegetables. The lack of “gardening and food preparation” skills 

coupled with a short growing season limits the kinds and amounts of 

specialty crops grown in Piute county locations.

$21,540.00
268

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$26,475.00

Utah Department 

of Agriculture and 

Food

$357,572.71

Demonstration of the 

Feasibility of production 

Service Berry (Saskatoons) 

in Cache Valley, UT

Cache Valley has long been known for its long winters and short 

growing seasons which has made commercial fruit production difficult. 

This project will assess the viability of Service Berry also known as 

Saskatoons (Amelanchier alnifolia) as a new specialty crop which is 

naturally adapted to tolerate the climatic challenges of this region. If 

successful Serviceberry has the potential to provide local producers 

with a reliable product for new markets locally and for international 

exports abroad.

$25,468.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

On-Farm Tissue Culture 

Laboratory for the 

Micropropagation of 

Specialty Ranunculus 

Cultivars

Ardelia Farm & Co. will support the creation of a new Vermont-based 

cut flower industry via micropropagation of novel ranunculus cultivars 

in our Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-funded on-farm tissue 

culture laboratory.

$20,274.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Steam Seed Treatment 

Services for Organic 

Specialty Crops

High Mowing Organic Seed (HMOS) will prevent the spread of 

seedborne plant pathogens by identifying seedborne pathogens of 

importance in Vermont, researching and developing standardized 

protocols for the steam treatment of infected vegetable seed, and 

making this service available for organic specialty crop producers, 

HMOS customers, and other seed companies.

$10,400.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Improving Nutrient 

Management on Small 

Vegetable Farms

The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Vegetable and Berry Team 

will provide individual technical assistance to 100 commercial 

vegetable growers managing a total of 1,000 acres, helping them use 

existing educational resources to develop scale-appropriate nutrient 

management plans that comply with Vermont’s Required Agricultural 

Practices.

$29,798.00
269

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Responding to Need for OnFarm Technical Support for 

Vermont Apple and Grape 

Growers

The University of Vermont Fruit Program (UVMFP), in response to 

mounting requests from prospective and beginning farmers and 

farmers transitioning to apples and grapes from other crops for 

experiential-based technical support trainings covering a broad 

spectrum of production needs, will conduct nine hands-on, on-farm 

trainings. The farm trainings will include: farm site evaluation, cultivar 

and planting systems, tree and vine pruning and training, crop load 

management, groundcover management, and harvest and postharvest 

management. Participants will be provided with access to a 

collaborative online communications platform to facilitate a cohort 

learning environment and introduce them to industry support 

organizations to support use of new skills within the Vermont fruit 

industry.

$25,963.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Maple Syrup: Assessment of 

Conditions, Trends, 

Opportunity & Constraints 

for Expanding Consumption

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture will complete a three-part project 

in which we will (1) collect data on the global maple syrup industry 

including innovative uses of maple syrup and maple as an ingredient; 

(2) disseminate this information to Vermont maple syrup producers via 

a trackable report download and focused seminar, and (3) using the 

research compiled in part 1, work with our partners in the maple 

industry to identify two countries where maple has opportunity for 

growth and complete a Market Scan in both countries.

$31,000.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Increasing the 

Competitiveness of Vermont 

Wine through Vermont 

Restaurants and Agritourism 

Opportunities

The Vermont Fresh Network (VFN), in collaboration with the Vermont 

Grape and Wine Council (VGWC), will increase sales of Vermont wine 

through better cooperation with Vermont restaurants, a more 

strategic approach to how restaurants present local wine to diners,

and regional tourism-related opportunities designed to enhance 

Vermont’s reputation as a wine producing region.

$13,947.00
270

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Expansion of a Vermont 

Maple Sugarhouse Food 

Safety Certification Program

The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association (VMSMA) will expand 

upon an existing voluntary food safety program for maple producers 

by designing a framework for training new program inspectors, 

creating consumer awareness of the program to provide additional 

incentive and benefit for certified sugarhouses, and building capacity 

within our organization to provide a greater level of needed technical 

assistance and education on topics ranging from food safety 

regulations, best practices, and production methods to improve 

product quality.

$35,000.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Increasing the Vermont 

Apple Industry’s Marketing 

Capabilities

The Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association (VTFGA) will develop a 

cost-effective market strategy to identify and implement high-impact 

marketing priorities to meet growers’ needs to increase direct-toconsumer sales.

$7,995.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61 Upper Valley ProducerBuyer Forum

Vital Communities’ Valley Food & Farm (VFF) program will plan and 

execute an Upper Valley Producer-Buyer Forum, engaging the region’s 

wholesale buyers (e.g., restaurants, institutions, grocers) and up to 15 

Vermont specialty crop producers for education and sales connections. 

Modeled on our successful Flavors of the Valley expo and producerbuyer matchmakers in other regions of New Hampshire and Vermont, 

the forum will provide specialty crop producers a structured 

opportunity to share their businesses with prospective buyers, 

resulting in new market connections desired by both buyers and 

producers. Based on findings from Vital Communities’ 2014 

comprehensive market analysis, of 180 restaurants and 80 food stores 

in the region, 86% would like to purchase more locally grown food, 

65% direct from farmers or a farm cooperative. VFF staff will work with 

buyers and farmers to design a useful event for all parties and provide 

pre- and post-forum technical support.

$11,595.00
271

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Commercial Opportunities 

for New Perennial Crops and 

Climate Smart Agriculture

Walking Onion Nursery will work in partnership with the University of 

Vermont Extension to assess the commercial opportunities for three 

little known perennial food crops – Sea Kale, Spinach Vine and Hosta –

through trial plot studies at two locations and associated activities. We 

will generate data and plants in production in order to familiarize 

growers and consumers with them and encourage their adoption in 

Vermont and the Northeast. Through additional research and 

reporting the analysis will include best practices for sourcing, 

propagation, establishment, weeding, harvest, plant spacing, growing 

and soil management, pollinator interactions and market 

development. We will conduct outreach through field days, articles, 

tasting events and our project supporter’s network of newsletters, 

blogs, social media, print publications and websites.

$18,915.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Vermont Produce Safety 

Improvement Grants to 

Enhance Grower 

Competitiveness & On-Farm 

Food Safety

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture will help produce growers 

implement on-farm food safety practices, transition to compliance 

with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, 

and meet market demands for on-farm food safety by providing cost 

share grants to Vermont growers for on-farm food safety 

improvements.

$50,000.00

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61

Local Food Markets as a 

Placemaking Tool in 

Community Development: 

Increasing Specialty Crop 

Consumption, Access and 

Awareness

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) will 

continue to strengthen local direct to consumer marketing by 

collaborating in eight targeted community planning, economic 

development, and revitalization projects across Vermont, which will 

ensure the long-term viability of market opportunities for specialty 

crop producers. VAAFM will partner with other organizations to 

organize local food advisory teams in target communities for 

facilitated placemaking discussions around how best to incorporate 

specialty crop market opportunities into community development and 

revitalization projects.

$53,000.44

Vermont Agency 

of Agriculture $332,632.61 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$23,327.00
272

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Making Food Safety 

Certification Attainable for 

Virginia Farmers While 

Preparing for Potential 

Market and Changes

Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) will enhance the 

competitiveness of fresh fruits and vegetables by providing training 

and one-on-one technical assistance to specialty crop farmers across 

Virginia. Produce farmers will be prepared to obtain USDA GAP, 

Harmonized GAP, or Harmonized GAP with Global Addendum 

certification and will be prepared for Global GAP should the markets 

make such a change necessary. Additionally, producers will be 

prepared to meet the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety 

Rule requirements with the addition of Produce Safety Alliance Grower 

Trainings.

$59,164.83

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Making Food Safety 

Certification Attainable for 

Virginia Farmers While 

Preparing for Potential 

Market and Changes

Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) will enhance the 

competitiveness of fresh fruits and vegetables by providing training 

and one-on-one technical assistance to specialty crop farmers across 

Virginia. Produce farmers will be prepared to obtain USDA GAP, 

Harmonized GAP, or Harmonized GAP with Global Addendum 

certification and will be prepared for Global GAP should the markets 

make such a change necessary. Additionally, producers will be 

prepared to meet the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety 

Rule requirements with the addition of Produce Safety Alliance Grower 

Trainings.

$59,164.83

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Exploring Anaerobic Soil 

Disinfestation for Improved 

Vegetable Crops in Virginia

The goal of this project is to evaluate a non-fumigant approach that 

does not require forfeited growing seasons. This type of control 

strategy is paramount to sustaining valuable vegetable production in 

Virginia and the larger Mid-Atlantic region.

$59,176.07

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Exploring Anaerobic Soil 

Disinfestation for Improved 

Vegetable Crops in Virginia

The goal of this project is to evaluate a non-fumigant approach that 

does not require forfeited growing seasons. This type of control 

strategy is paramount to sustaining valuable vegetable production in 

Virginia and the larger Mid-Atlantic region.

$59,176.07
273

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Assessing and Addressing 

Educational Needs of 

Exploratory/Beginning 

Growers of Hydroponic 

Produce for Local Markets

Virginia Tech (VT) faculty Holly Scoggins, Associate Professor of 

Horticulture, Joyce Latimer, Professor of Horticulture and Extension 

Specialist for Greenhouse Crops, Amber Vallotton, Fresh Produce Food 

Safety Team Coordinator & Extension Specialist, and Virginia State 

University (VSU) faculty Chris Mullins, Greenhouse Extension 

Specialist, will assist exploratory and beginning commercial growers by 

assessing current needs, evaluating hydroponic growing systems, and 

delivering educational programs via workshops as well as developing 

multi-media educational resources for long-term use by stakeholders

$54,644.77

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Assessing and Addressing 

Educational Needs of 

Exploratory/Beginning 

Growers of Hydroponic 

Produce for Local Markets

Virginia Tech (VT) faculty Holly Scoggins, Associate Professor of 

Horticulture, Joyce Latimer, Professor of Horticulture and Extension 

Specialist for Greenhouse Crops, Amber Vallotton, Fresh Produce Food 

Safety Team Coordinator & Extension Specialist, and Virginia State 

University (VSU) faculty Chris Mullins, Greenhouse Extension 

Specialist, will assist exploratory and beginning commercial growers by 

assessing current needs, evaluating hydroponic growing systems, and 

delivering educational programs via workshops as well as developing 

multi-media educational resources for long-term use by stakeholders

$54,644.77

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Cider Production from 

Virginia-Grown Apples: 

Managing Yeast Nutrition 

during Fermentation for 

Targeted Cider Aroma and 

Style

The Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology’s 

Enology and Fermentation group will develop research-based 

strategies for nitrogen-rich yeast nutrient management to retain 

desired fruit aromas during cider fermentation and will disseminate 

results to stakeholders through state and regional workshops, 

extension publications, and industry-led field days.

$59,745.52

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Cider Production from 

Virginia-Grown Apples: 

Managing Yeast Nutrition 

during Fermentation for 

Targeted Cider Aroma and 

Style

The Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology’s 

Enology and Fermentation group will develop research-based 

strategies for nitrogen-rich yeast nutrient management to retain

desired fruit aromas during cider fermentation and will disseminate 

results to stakeholders through state and regional workshops, 

extension publications, and industry-led field days.

$59,745.52
274

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Model-guided bloom 

thinning applications for 

managing crop load and 

disease pressure in apple 

orchards

Management of apple crop load by chemical thinning is one of the 

most critical orchard practices that significantly affects the annual 

production and profitability of apple orchards, and it can lead to 

significant losses if done improperly. Through the proposed project, 

Virginia Tech will determine and recommend chemical thinning 

strategies that optimize crop load, improve fruit quality, enhance 

return bloom, and reduce disease pressure in apple orchards.

$48,465.22

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Model-guided bloom 

thinning applications for 

managing crop load and 

disease pressure in apple 

orchards

Management of apple crop load by chemical thinning is one of the 

most critical orchard practices that significantly affects the annual 

production and profitability of apple orchards, and it can lead to 

significant losses if done improperly. Through the proposed project, 

Virginia Tech will determine and recommend chemical thinning 

strategies that optimize crop load, improve fruit quality, enhance 

return bloom, and reduce disease pressure in apple orchards.

$48,465.22

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Expanding Livelihood 

Options for Virginia Land 

Owners through Tree Syrup 

Production

The Virginia Tech led project team will increase the competiveness of 

the Virginia maple syrup sector by engaging with Virginia landowners 

and farmers to develop new maple syrup production capacity, value 

added products, improved markets, and related practices that result in 

increased awareness of income generation and nutrition 

opportunities.

$46,071.67

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Expanding Livelihood 

Options for Virginia Land 

Owners through Tree Syrup 

Production

The Virginia Tech led project team will increase the competiveness of 

the Virginia maple syrup sector by engaging with Virginia landowners 

and farmers to develop new maple syrup production capacity, value 

added products, improved markets, and related practices that result in 

increased awareness of income generation and nutrition 

opportunities.

$46,071.67

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Building a Bridge between 

VA Hops Growers and 

Brewers: Studying the 

Impact of Terroir and 

Postharvest Handling on 

Flavor and Quality

This is a joint effort between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University 

to respond to the increasing demand for hops as the indispensable 

component of beer driven by the unprecedented growth of the craft 

brewing industry in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region. Virginia Tech 

will lead the research work.

$58,496.83
275

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Building a Bridge between 

VA Hops Growers and 

Brewers: Studying the 

Impact of Terroir and 

Postharvest Handling on 

Flavor and Quality

This is a joint effort between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University 

to respond to the increasing demand for hops as the indispensable 

component of beer driven by the unprecedented growth of the craft 

brewing industry in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region. Virginia Tech 

will lead the research work.

$58,496.83

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Evaluation of Organic and 

Biodynamic Weed Control 

Options for Specialty Crops 

in Virginia

Virginia Tech will investigate organic and biodynamic weed control 

methods to determine crop safety and control of troublesome weeds 

for producers of vegetable, fruit, and nursery crops, with results 

disseminated at grower meetings and field days as well as through 

extension publications and newsletter articles.

$40,015.98

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Evaluation of Organic and 

Biodynamic Weed Control 

Options for Specialty Crops 

in Virginia

Virginia Tech will investigate organic and biodynamic weed control 

methods to determine crop safety and control of troublesome weeds 

for producers of vegetable, fruit, and nursery crops, with results 

disseminated at grower meetings and field days as well as through 

extension publications and newsletter articles.

$40,015.98

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Novel Approach to Control 

Multiple Major Diseases on 

Nursery Crops with Plant 

Endophyte

Virginia Tech will develop a biologically based technique that targets 

multiple major diseases affecting a variety of ornamental crops and 

disseminate the results to the end user through grower meetings and 

field days. This technology will enable growers to build crop health into 

their products, boosting consumer satisfaction and improving the 

competitiveness of the horticultural industry in the Commonwealth.

$59,662.53

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Novel Approach to Control 

Multiple Major Diseases on 

Nursery Crops with Plant 

Endophyte

Virginia Tech will develop a biologically based technique that targets 

multiple major diseases affecting a variety of ornamental crops and 

disseminate the results to the end user through grower meetings and 

field days. This technology will enable growers to build crop health into 

their products, boosting consumer satisfaction and improving the 

competitiveness of the horticultural industry in the Commonwealth.

$59,662.53
276

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Vertical farming of 

strawberries in greenhouses 

with mason bees for 

pollination

In the research proposed here, we (ODU Research Foundation; ODU 

Professor Dr. Horth) will evaluate the effectiveness of the increasingly 

popular mason bee for pollination of the specialty crop strawberries in 

a vertical farming layout. We have shown that mason bees are 

valuable pollinators for strawberries on farms and have determined 

that mason bees will land on strawberry flowers in greenhouses. Here, 

we will evaluate whether mason bees will effectively pollinate 

strawberry flowers in a vertical design in greenhouse conditions

$59,301.63

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93

Vertical farming of 

strawberries in greenhouses 

with mason bees for 

pollination

In the research proposed here, we (ODU Research Foundation; ODU 

Professor Dr. Horth) will evaluate the effectiveness of the increasingly 

popular mason bee for pollination of the specialty crop strawberries in 

a vertical farming layout. We have shown that mason bees are 

valuable pollinators for strawberries on farms and have determined 

that mason bees will land on strawberry flowers in greenhouses. Here, 

we will evaluate whether mason bees will effectively pollinate 

strawberry flowers in a vertical design in greenhouse conditions

$59,301.63

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$11,136.81

Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture and 

Consumer 

Services

$556,320.93 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$11,136.81
277

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Fate of Different Listeria 

Monocytogenes Strains on 

Different Whole Apple 

Variates during Long-Term 

Simulated Commercial 

Storage

The Center for Produce Safety will partner with Michigan State 

University to determine the fate of Listeria monocytogenes on three 

varieties of whole apples during long-term simulated commercial 

storage. The microbiological safety of whole and sliced apples has 

been called into question during the last seven years due to multiple 

recalls for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and a high-profile outbreak of 

listeriosis from caramel apples. This project aims to answer specific 

research questions for the apple industry, such as: (i) Do different 

foodborne outbreak strains of Lm differ in their ability to survive on 

apples; (ii) Does Lm survival differ when apples are contaminated from 

water versus direct contact with equipment surfaces (crates, brushes); 

(iii) Does the physiological state of Lm, specifically whether cells in the 

inoculum harvested from a planktonic (i.e., broth) culture versus from 

a biofilm (i.e., solid surface) impact Lm’s subsequent fate on the apples 

The answers to these and other questions will assist the apple industry 

in minimizing the Lm risks associated with current apple growing and 

packing practices.

$228,260.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Using Native Blue Orchard 

Bee for Pear and Sweet 

Cherry Orchard Pollination

The USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit in Logan, Utah, with 

WSU-IAREC in Prosser, WA will evaluate the feasibility of Osmia 

lignaria (the blue orchard bee; ‘BOB’) pollination of Washington 

commercial pear and sweet cherry orchards. This project evaluates the 

contribution of BOB co-pollination with honey bees to pear and sweet 

cherry yields in orchards that have been historically limited by poor 

pollination. Fruit yield per acre will be evaluated annually and 

compared to historical yield averages to examine the relative impact of 

BOB pollination on orchard performance. If experimental orchards 

reveal consistent increases in fruit yield over time and relative to other 

neighboring orchards in a given year, it will confirm that BOB 

pollination provides an overall net benefit to Washington fruit 

growers. This study would be the first to report on the potential 

success and influence of BOB pollination on Washington orchards.

$153,893.00
278

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Addressing the Technical 

Gaps to Increase the 

Markets for Dry Peas

This project addresses critical needs that can directly help increase the 

markets for dry peas. Lack of basic physical, chemical, and functional 

data on individual varieties of dry peas as whole flours and their 

protein fractionates is a significant hurdle for their use in end 

products. Thus, the objective of this project is to produce the basic 

processing data for all commercially available dry pea varieties grown 

in the state of Washington and, for comparison, the surrounding 

region. Further, data will be generated on the extrudability of these 

pea proteins for making texturized protein products. Importantly, all 

the data generated will be publicly available and disseminated to 

relevant stakeholders through various channels including grower 

meetings, professional meetings, online resources and publications. To 

accomplish these goals, the following tasks will be completed at WSU 

laboratories: i) acquisition of all commercially available varieties of dry 

pea seeds through generous donation by project collaborators; ii) 

physical and chemical analysis of whole seed flours and protein 

fractionates; iii) determination of functionality of flours and proteins 

through extrusion processing; and iv) dissemination of data through 

the mechanisms mentioned above and measuring the impacts.

$243,247.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Increasing Washington 

Blueberry Exports to India 

through Tariff Reductions

India is an important and growing market for the Washington 

blueberry industry, and one with significant export potential. India has 

a growing and increasingly affluent middle class, which is estimated to 

reach 475 million by 2030. Blueberries are not grown domestically in 

India, and there is already tremendous interest in India in sourcing 

blueberries from the United States. It is a strong aspirational food item 

and there is significant potential opportunity for Washington 

blueberries to be exported to the market. The goal of this project is to 

reduce the Indian tariff through the official Indian budget cycle, which 

adjusts tariffs annually. By addressing the obstacle of India's high 

blueberry tariff, this project will help reduce the oversupply in the 

United States and greatly increase sales of Washington blueberries to 

the Indian market.

$205,500.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$407,864.00
279

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Growing Wholesale 

Prospects for Whatcom and 

Skagit Specialty Crop 

Producers

Sustainable Connections will work with more than 100 specialty crop 

producers throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties to help them 

develop the know-how to be comfortable successfully managing 

relationships with an array of different buyer types (restaurant, grocer, 

and institution). Guidance will be provided to facilitate introductions 

between buyers and producers; provide technical training on larger 

scale crop growth, packaging, and marketing; and facilitate specialty 

crop and wholesale buyer collective crop planning efforts to help 

specialty crop producers maximize profit potential.

At the end of the project over a hundred Whatcom and Skagit County, 

specialty crop producers will be better positioned to engage in larger 

scale sales to wholesale buyers and will transform production capacity 

that currently goes unsold into an additional $500,000 annually in 

revenue for those producers

$151,273.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Increasing Sales for Direct 

Market Specialty Crops 

Through Digital Marketing

The goal of the project is to increase specialty crop sales through 

consistent, high quality digital media marketing especially during high 

harvest season (May-October), which will target new shoppers. A 5% 

increase in farm sales in the NFM system adds almost $400,000 in 

annual sales to Washington’s small farmers, $250,000 of which is 

specialty crop sales. The project will include: high season staffing 

dedicated to social media content creation, posting, engagement, ad 

buys (and A/B testing), leveraging influencers, back-end evaluation, 

and training for staff and farmers. Seattle’s consumers are tech-savvy, 

social media hungry, and there is a massive millennial workforce that 

will be inspired to shop and learn through well executed digital media 

planning.

$107,858.00
280

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Decision Support for 

Managing Climate Risks in 

Tree-Fruit and Grapes

Washington State University (WSU) will develop a decision support 

system (DSS) that provides climate-related risk analysis and risk 

management decision support for the tree fruit and grape industries. 

This proposal addresses three critical temperature-driven production 

risks: (i) sunburn risk in tree fruit, (ii) shifts in apple bloom time, 

honeybee foraging behavior, and the potential for plant-pollinator 

interactions to be out-of-sync, and (iii) cold-damage risk in grapevine. 

The DSS will allow tree fruit and grape producers/consultants in 

Washington State to (a) understand and analyze current and emerging 

climate related production risks, (b) evaluate options for managing 

risk, (c) be better prepared to address emerging increased vulnerability 

to risks and (d) incorporate risk management in their long-term 

planning. While the proposal addresses multiple funding priorities, it is 

most closely related to “improving production practices through 

innovative technologies” through its focus on development of 

decision-support technologies.

$249,971.00
281

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Improving Machine Harvest 

Efficiency and Fruit Quality 

for Fresh Market Blueberry

Fresh-market blueberry growers in Washington and Oregon are 

increasingly constrained by high labor costs and decreasing availability, 

which directly impacts harvest operations and farmers’ profitability. 

Growers need new solutions to grow and efficiently harvest a safe and 

high-quality product while maintaining economic solvency. This 

proposal jointly submitted by Washington State University and Oregon 

State University seeks to address this need while building on the 

promising work of this research team’s previous research with 

mechanical harvesters. In this two-year multi-state project, we 

propose to: 1) Develop and test harvest technologies and practices 

that allow for the mechanical harvest of fresh market blueberry with 

high fruit quality and high harvest efficiency; 2) Evaluate packing lines 

for impact forces that could decrease fruit quality; 3) Compare food 

safety risks associated with traditional and new harvesting 

technologies; 4) Assess microbial quality of the fruits harvested by 

hand versus using mechanical harvesters; and 5) Extend project 

information to growers and packers in Washington and Oregon. 

Completion of this project will produce new knowledge, practices, and 

tools that will enable the efficient harvest and packing of high quality 

fresh market blueberries and minimize risks associated with food 

safety, which will reduce growers’ dependence on hand labor for 

harvesting and promote cost- savings.

$178,328.00
282

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62 Precise Mechanical Solution 

for Vineyard Shoot Thinning

Washington State University will develop an automated solution for 

green shoot thinning in wine grapes. Green shoot thinning, an 

operation to remove some of the shoots from vine cordons, is used to 

improve spacing and direction of shoot growth, which is essential to 

create healthy and productive canopies as it improves light 

penetration and air movement in the canopies. This operation is highly 

labor-intensive, costing growers >$265/acre/year. Machine thinning 

can reduce the cost to about ~$10/acre. Our goal is to develop an 

automated system for precise positioning of thinning heads of a 

mechanical thinner. To achieve this goal, the focus will be on 

developing; i) a machine vision system to estimate cordon/trunk 

location and shoot density; ii) a prototype, pneumatic shoot thinner 

capable of quickly adjusting thinning roller position for precise removal 

of target shoots; and iii) an integrated, automated thinning machine 

and evaluate it in the vineyard environment. By the end of the project, 

it is expected that the prototype and field validation study will provide 

sufficient data and information for companies to develop and 

commercialize the machine. Commercial adoption of this technology 

will reduce farm labor use and production cost, resulting in a 

substantial benefit to Washington wine grape industry.

$195,232.00
283

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

High-Throughput 

Technology for Molecular 

Detection of Potato 

Pathogens

Potato production is impacted by many pathogens and nematodes 

that reduce yield, quality, and marketability of the harvested crop. To 

limit the prevalence of disease, diagnostic tests are implemented in 

both seed certification schemes and as pre-plant assessments of 

potato field soils. The goal is to develop a high-throughput method for 

the molecular detection of all potato pathogens, including those that 

are soil-borne, seed-borne, and insect-spread. The “Millichip” is a 

microarray technology with a low cost that is convenient for a typical 

bench scientist to use on a day-to-day basis. The sustainability and 

profitability of the Washington state potato industry will benefit from 

improved diagnostics and disease control strategies, and more secure 

trade agreements. To accomplish this goal, we will pursue the 

following objectives: (1) design nucleotide probes that detect potato 

pathogens on the Millichips; (2) test run designed Millichip array using 

DNA template, tuber, or soil samples; (3) improve and refurbish 

Millichips based on the test run results; (4) disseminate Millichip 

technology and provide workshops for the WA potato community. This 

project will be mainly conducted by the Molecular Plant Pathology Lab 

at Washington State University in Pullman, WA.

$249,414.00
284

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Enhancing the 

Competitiveness of Certified 

Organic Specialty Crops at 

Farmers Markets

In partnership with 25 farmers markets and statewide industry leaders, 

the WSDA Organic Program will provide timely and targeted training 

on organic certification standards, clarify signage requirements and 

market policies, and share best practices on organic income records at 

farmers markets. A new “Fresh Produce Labeling and Signage 

Standards for Farmers Markets” workbook will provide an accessible 

understanding of consumer protections, regulations, and best 

practices to 100 markets’ staff, volunteers and vendors. This two-year 

project will directly benefit 75 specialty crop producers through 

improved organic visibility at their farmers markets, practical income 

record keeping tools, and proactive messaging to convey to shoppers 

and during statewide promotions such as Washington Organic Week. 

More generally, this project will promote specialty crops that are 

certified organic by building consumer trust and transparency in 

produce claims while reducing consumer confusion and potential 

fraud. The positive ripple effect among farmer’s market shoppers, 

specialty crop farmers, and among additional farmers markets will 

create a lasting impact.

$99,600.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

E. Faecium as a Surrogate 

for L. Monocytogenes 

Intervention in Apple Dump 

Tanks System

A reliable non-pathogenic surrogate is urgently needed to predict 

behaviors of L. monocytogenes in dump tank practice. The overall goal 

of proposed studies is to comprehensively examine and validate 

Enterococcus faecium as a surrogate for L. monocytogenes 

intervention in the dump tank water system. Washington State 

University will pursue two objectives: 1) Evaluate use of E. faecium as a 

surrogate for L. monocytogenes antimicrobial intervention in dump 

tank and flume water system with different levels of organic matter; 2) 

Compare cross-contamination rates of E. faecium and L. 

monocytogenes in water-to-apple, apple-to- water, and apple-to-apple 

during dump tank practices of fresh apple packing lines. The proposed 

project will identify a validated non-pathogenic surrogate to predict L. 

monocytogenes behavior during intervention in dump tank water 

system. Knowledge developed will be disseminated to the apple 

packers and handlers in Washington as well as other regions.

$249,344.00
285

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Evaluation of Agriculture 

Water Disinfection 

Treatments

The Washington State University, has been actively engaged in 

discussions with the growing community regarding implementation of 

the Produce Safety Rule. The PSR has begun to shape the production 

practices of fruit and vegetable growers across Washington. Because 

pre-harvest agricultural water has been identified as a likely point of 

foodborne pathogen contamination during fruit and vegetable 

production, the PSR calls for rigorous water testing of generic E. coli 

populations in order to verify the microbial quality of surface water 

that will contact the edible portion of the plant during growing, unless 

a water treatment method is used. The testing expenses will greatly 

impact Washington fruit and vegetable growers since many utilize 

surface water for irrigation, cooling or foliar sprays.

$194,017.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Root Growth Management 

to Reduce Ca Deficiency 

Disorders in Apples and 

Cherries

Calcium (Ca) deficiencies can lead to several disorders that reduce fruit 

quality and storability in Washington's key tree fruit crops. Washington 

State University will help reduce Ca-deficiency disorders by promoting 

early root growth. A correlation between root zone conditions; 

temperature, nutrients, pH and water availability, and Ca-deficiency 

disorders will be evaluated in different WA apple and cherry orchards. 

In parallel, we will evaluate the effect of soil temperature, root pruning 

and soil nutrient supply on early root growth and fruit quality. To 

develop a better indicator of Ca-deficiency disorders, we will compare 

the predictability of Ca-pectate analyzes versus total Ca. With this 

novel project, we expect to obtain a better understanding of Ca 

absorption and distribution, and to reduce Ca-deficiency disorders 

contributing to the competitiveness of the PNW apple and cherry 

industries. The outcomes will develop management practices to 

promote early root growth and thus, Ca-absorption during cell division, 

immediately transferable by the end of the project through outreach 

activities and education.

$152,937.00
286

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Investigating Impacts of 

Insecticides on Pollinators in 

a Biennial Seed Crop

This Washington State University research will provide growers with 

guidance to maximize bee safety while controlling common pests of 

cabbage seed crops when using a fall neonicotinoid drench for 

cabbage maggot and a foliar pyrethroid for common seed pests such 

as lygus. This data will provide critical information for producers of bee 

pollinated brassica seed crops. Objectives: Investigate potential of late 

season systemic insecticide drenches for control of cabbage maggot, 

to contaminate nectar and pollen and impact pollinators in cabbage 

seed, a biennial specialty crop. Evaluate honey bee contact toxicity of 

field-aged residues of a popular pyrethroid, bifenthrin, applied in the 

spring for pre/post-bloom control of common cabbage seed pests. 

Late season applications to control cabbage maggot; thiamethoxam 

and clothianidin will be applied in early October to cabbage grown for 

seed along with an untreated check.

$72,012.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Promoting Productivity and 

On-Farm Efficiencies with 

Plastic Mulches in Raspberry

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) growers are increasingly using tissue 

culture (TC) transplants for planting. However, weed management and 

establishment of TC transplants is challenging. Growers need new 

techniques to promote TC establishment and ensure the long-term 

productivity of their fields. The goal of this project is to continue and 

expand our evaluations so that knowledge and practical strategies are 

developed to promote establishment of raspberries planted as TC 

transplants. To accomplish this, plastic mulches (BDMs and PE) impact 

raspberry plant growth, yield, and fruit quality, as well as impacts on 

weed management and root lesion nematode populations in on-farm 

collaborative experiments will be studied. Information from field trials 

and adoption studies will be incorporated into a robust outreach plan 

to ensure timely dissemination of project information.

$249,569.00
287

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Plant biology and the 

control of annual 

polygonum species

This project will be led by Washington State University. Four annual 

polygonum species, wild buckwheat, prostrate knotweed, 

palesmartweed, and ladysthumb smartweed (Polygonum convolvulus, 

aviculare, lapathifolium, and persicaria, respectively) are becoming 

more problematic in northwest Washington specialty crops. As these 

plants are all related, chemical control methods are similarly 

problematic. Fortunately, there are important differences in the 

biology of these plants that impart potential weakness that can be 

targeted in carefully designed integrated pest management strategies 

to achieve improved control.

$137,128.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Integrated Management 

Strategies for Thrips Iris 

Yellow Spot Virus Threat to 

Onion

Washington State University will contribute to the development of 

eco-friendly thrips management practices and disease resistant onion 

cultivars thereby reducing the inputs, including insecticides for vector 

control, and cost of production with a subsequent increase in profit, 

and will directly contribute to environmental stewardship and 

increased sustainability. Washington is the 2nd biggest producer of 

onions in the country, and diseases are a major production constraint 

affecting both yield and quality of seed as well as bulb crops This 

project will employ the most effective means to manage an insecttransmitted virus such as thrips-transmitted IYSV by developing and 

deploying a combination of tactics – the central ones being sound 

thrips management combined with growing virus resistant cultivars. 

We will use a two-pronged approach – target the thrips vectors by 

developing eco- friendly and sound thrips management regime and to 

develop virus resistant cultivars by enhanced screening of breeding 

lines that were previously found to have less virus accumulation under 

heavy virus pressure.

$216,351.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Alternative pest 

management technologies 

for tree fruit and wine 

grapes

This WSU team, with agricultural engineering, viticulture, plant 

pathology and entomology expertise, will investigate use of 

horticultural oil thermotherapy (HOT) and ozonated water sprayer 

(OWS) applications for effective control of indicator pest and disease 

species in pear and wine grapes This project aligns with environmental 

stewardship goals of using methodologies and products that have 

minimal off-target impacts and reduced chemical inputs. It bolsters 

available toolkit for organic pest management, while being equally 

viable in conventional and IPM-based programs.

$249,088.00
288

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Gut Content Analysis to 

Pinpoint the Weed Sources 

of Potato Psyllid

Circumstantial evidence from recent research suggests that matrimony 

vine (Lyciumbarbarum) is a primary weed source of potato psyllids 

entering potato fields of the Pacific Northwest, but direct evidence for 

this association is lacking and the role of other perennial weed hosts as 

sources of psyllids is still uncertain. A primary goal of this project is to 

use molecular gut content analysis to directly pinpoint what plants 

(e.g. matrimony vine) potato psyllids are dispersing from as they enter 

potato fields in early summer. A second goal is to determine if earlyseason monitoring of potato psyllid in matrimony vine or other 

perennial host species identified in this project as sources of psyllids 

can be used to predict psyllid pressure expected in potato in late 

summer. The capability to predict psyllid populations and risk based on 

populations on spring hosts would allow growers to more effectively 

tailor management decisions. This project will be led by researchers at 

the USDA-ARS in Wapato, WA, and includes researchers from 

Washington State University, Oregon State University, and University 

of Idaho.

$215,538.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Establishing risk of invasive 

insect pests of tree fruits in 

green yard waste from 

Canada

The USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit in 

Wapato, WA will establish an agreement with WA State Department of 

Agriculture focusing on protecting specialty tree fruit crops from 

invasive insect pests associated with solid waste from British Columbia 

(BC), Canada, transported to landfills in WA. Green yard waste is the 

most likely component of the waste stream to contain invasive pests of 

tree fruits. The introduction of an invasive pest into the tree fruit 

production areas of WA will greatly reduce the profitability of the 

growers because of establishment of quarantines to prevent further 

expansion of the pest, implementation of additional field and 

postharvest control measures, and revocation of several export and 

interstate transport agreements due to the existence of the pest. The 

major anticipated outcome of the project is the enhancement of the 

competitiveness of specialty tree fruit crops through management of 

green yard waste movement originating from BC to protect the tree 

fruit industry in WA, and potentially the banning of green yard waste 

movement into major fruit-growing regions.

$243,449.00
289

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Ensuring the sustainability 

of pollination services to 

Washington specialty crops

Honey bees provide vital pollination services for numerous specialty 

crops in Washington including tree fruits, berries, and vegetable and 

horticultural seeds. Declines in honey bee health in recent decades 

have been caused in large part by two intractable pest issues, 

Varroamites and a wave of new bee infecting viruses. To safeguard a 

reliable and economically viable pollination system, novel methods are 

needed to control these two pest issues. Washington State University 

(WSU) bee research team has already made strides in developing 

innovations to address these two issues, including the breeding of a 

new strain of entomopathogenic fungus against Varroamites and the 

identification of the first candidate treatments for honey bee viruses. 

WSU will: 1) continue to breed our novel strain of Metarhizium fungus 

for improvement as a biological control agent against Varroa mites; 2) 

determine the best dosages and delivery methods of Metarhizium for 

Varroa control; 3) test new formulations and IPM practices using 

extracts from wood decay fungi to treat bee viruses; 4) partner with 

industry to produce the first ever available treatment for honey bee 

viruses.

$249,751.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Novel Disease Control 

Strategies for WA Berry 

Growers

Washington State University and the Agricultural Development Group 

will provide Washington (WA) berry growers with novel and 

environmentally sound control measures for WA berry diseases. WA 

berry growers suffer severe annual fruit losses due to Botrytis gray 

mold, the most economically significant disease facing the industry. 

Growers are in desperate need of strategies to preserve existing 

fungicides and slow resistance development and require access to new 

disease control products with different modes of action. This project 

will address three interrelated objectives that build on previous 

research: 1) high-throughput monitoring of fungicide resistance in 

individual berry fields, 2) high-through put monitoring of SDH 

resistance mutations to newFRAC7 fungicides in individual fields, 3) 

evaluation of alternate fungicide timing strategies, and 4) efficacy 

testing of new fungicides with novel mode of action.

$207,709.00
290

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62 Developing a Washington 

Organic Asparagus Industry

The Washington Asparagus Commission will help develop an organic 

asparagus industry. Current production is limited due to difficulty in 

controlling the European asparagus aphid and a spectrum of weed 

species. There is tremendous demand for organic asparagus and 

growers want to transition conventional asparagus to organic 

asparagus and are in need for technical assistance. The objectives of 

this trial are to develop new and improved means of control for 

European asparagus aphid (EAA) and weeds using new tactics 

approved for organic use in asparagus.

$82,932.00

Washington State 

Department of 

Agriculture

$5,108,035.62

Expanding Organic Access: 

Creating Resources for 

Spanish-Speaking Tree Fruit 

Growers

The WSDA Organic Program translation project will provide access and 

resources related to organic certification for Spanish-speaking 

operators, managers, and farmworkers in the tree fruit industry. 

Spanish speakers are crucial participants in the success of agriculture 

in Washington State, and tree fruit. While agricultural safety programs 

and pesticide applicator trainings have been implemented to support 

Spanish speakers, little is available to support the Spanish-speaking 

population in organic agriculture. To address this critical need, WSDA 

Organic Program will format and translate its application, technical 

factsheets, and resources into Spanish. Further, the Organic Program 

will work with industry partners to clarify and distribute these 

resources, ensuring Spanish speakers have equitable access to organic 

certification technical assistance.

$108,040.00
291

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43

Creating Education and 

Market Opportunities for 

Students and Beekeepers in 

Southern WV

The Raleigh County Board of Education is partnering with the Raleigh 

County Beekeepers Cooperative Association, Appalachian Beekeeping 

Collective, Fayette County Beekeepers Association, and Greenbrier 

County Beekeepers Association to develop a honey extraction facility 

in Raleigh County. This facility will provide market opportunities to 

students in Raleigh County Schools, members of the beekeepers 

associations, partners in the beekeeping collective as well as other 

interested beekeepers in Southern West Virginia. The programs 

provide instruction and mentoring to students in Raleigh County 

Schools and beginning beekeepers that will teach effective 

management practices, demonstrate how to grow colonies using 

natural beekeeping methods, provide grants for hives and equipment 

to beekeepers up to 300% above the Federal Poverty line, and provide 

a market for honey extracted by students, collective partners, 

beekeeping association members, and other interested beekeepers. 

The facility will also teach proper handling, manufacturing, and 

marketing of honey in accordance with WV Uniform Packaging and 

Labeling requirements.

$25,000.00

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43

Developing New Detection 

Methods to Enhance Food 

Safety in Specialty Crops in 

WV

Many laboratories are not familiar with specialty crop testing 

processes and procedures. The West Virginia Department of 

Agriculture (WVDA) will develop a new detection method and written 

procedure for Listeria monocytogenes detection in specialty crops 

using specialized equipment. This method will then be used to analyze 

samples for the pathogenic bacteria in specialty crops and value-added 

specialty crops in West Virginia.

$68,342.00

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43

2018-2021: West Virginia 

Specialty Crop Producer 

Education Opportunities

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with 

multiple stakeholders and service providers, intend to address the 

need to grow the specialty crop industry through a variety of 

educational resources aimed at new, beginning, and disadvantaged 

farmers throughout the state. Required training as well as a travel 

course designed to explore best practices will be supplemented with 

an open access on-line video series will provide growers and 

processors with the mandated tools as well as innovative and industry 

best practices to achieve market entry and/or expansion.

$50,000.00
292

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43 Southside K-8 Tunnel and 

School Farm Project

Reconnecting McDowell is combatting food insecurity in a highly 

vulnerable population, providing market opportunities in an 

economically distressed region, and increasing education on specialty 

crop production practices in youth and adults. This will be 

accomplished by constructing a high tunnel and school farm at 

Southside K-8 in War, WV, creating an agricultural club in partnership 

with WVU Extension and West Virginia’s Promise AmeriCorps VISTAs, 

and facilitating community-based workshops for all ages.

$15,000.00

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43

Yew Mountain Center 

Forest Farming with NonTimber Forest Products 

Research and Education 

Project

The Yew Mountain Center will establish and develop long–term 

demonstration and research plots for the sustainable cultivation of 

marketable non-timber forest products (e.g. medicinal, decorative and 

culinary species) in our hardwood forest. This center will also offer 

training workshops and special events in cultivation, processing, 

marketing, adding value, and sharing best practices to West Virginia 

growers, established and new.

$19,932.00

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43

Initiative to Develop a Cider 

Apple and Cider Production 

Economy in West Virginia

A team of West Virginia University faculty from the Cooperative 

Extension Service and the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences will 

establish a research and demonstration orchard at the WVU 

Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center. This will 

consist of a collection of 26 different cider apple varieties to identify 

varieties of this specialty crop best suited for cultivation in the distinct 

environment of West Virginia. This center will also research the 

production of high quality ciders representative of the unique 

Appalachian terroir, as well as to train and advise new and established 

apple growers in West Virginia in the production of these cider apples.

$24,522.00
293

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43

Growing Farmers, 

Horticulturists, Nutritionists 

in West Virginia: GardenBased Learning for 

Elementary Schools

The goal for building the local food economy in our counties and state 

relies on getting our youth excited about agricultural/biological 

systems and learning how to grow their own food. Work on these 

goals through a garden-based learning (GBL) program also addresses 

critical WV issues with child obesity and food security. The West 

Virginia University (WVU) Extension Service will provide technical 

assistance and resources to expand the Putnam County GBL program 

into two additional counties in West Virginia and provide technical 

assistance to other GBL initiatives in the state for consistency. The high 

tunnels erected to facilitate the classroom learning will be sold back to 

the schools for consumption and real experience in entrepreneurship.

$31,460.07

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43 2018-2021: Supporting GAP 

Audits for Specialty Crops

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits provide critical third-party 

audit certification for market access in the specialty crop industry. The 

number of GAP audited firms in the state continues to grow with the 

implementation of the reimbursement program provided by the West 

Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and its associated training 

program conducted by the multi-agency collaborative known as the 

Food Safety Training Team (WV FST) consisting of expertise from 

WVDA, WV University Extension and WV State University Extension. 

This project will continue to provide resources and services necessary 

for farmers (especially new, beginning and socially disadvantaged) to 

accomplish audit status and enter new markets for their specialty 

crops.

$17,500.00

West Virginia 

Department of 

Agriculture

$295,704.43 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$43,874.56

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Seed to kitchen: Identifying 

vegetable varieties with 

quality and production 

characteristics for WI 

growers

Dr. Julie Dawson and partners with the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative 

(SKC) will extend the impact of the SKC trials by improving access to 

information, participation in on-farm trialing, and demand for varieties 

identified as well adapted to WI climates and markets and will identify 

high performing red bell peppers and early tomatoes for WI growers 

through an expansion of the SKC trials to address these two unmet 

needs.

$78,606.00
294

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Expanding markets for 

vegetable seconds by 

building relationships and 

training farmers

The Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative will work with buyers and 

farmers to build new markets for vegetable seconds, providing 

technical education and assistance on production, grading, and 

packaging, as well as marketing and logistics to get more Wisconsin 

specialty crops into these new markets.

$74,646.80

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Developing and testing 

inexpensive, open-source 

instruments and methods to 

monitor frost events in 

Wisconsin orchards and 

vineyards

A collaborative effort between the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 

and Horticulture departments at the University of Wisconsin - Madison 

will develop and test inexpensive instrumentation to obtain highly 

detailed field- scale information about spring and fall frost events in WI 

orchards and vineyards, in order to: improve growers' understanding 

of the microclimates in their current and future production blocks; 

monitor frost events to successfully implement control methods; and 

to evaluate the efficiency of their frost control methods.

$74,540.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Celebrating seasonality: 

Wisconsin-grown recipes for 

the early childhood setting

Community GroundWorks and the Center for Integrated Agricultural 

Systems will develop “Celebrate Seasonality,” a recipe guide and 

training series to increase the use of Wisconsin-grown specialty crops 

in meals and snacks at Wisconsin Early Care and Education (ECE) sites 

by (1) Educating ECE providers and support staff about accessing and 

preparing Wisconsin-grown specialty crops and (2) Exploring 

opportunities to connect underserved and beginning Wisconsin 

specialty crop growers with the early childhood setting.

$74,032.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Evaluating and Improving 

the Biological Control 

Potential of Brown 

Marmorated Stink Bug Egg 

Parasitoids in Wisconsin 

Apple Orchards

The University of Wisconsin at Madison will survey for biological 

control agents of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, determine 

where in the orchard parasitoids are most present, assess the efficacy 

of several potential attractants for parasitoids, and provide 

information about biological control for brown marmorated stink bug 

to Wisconsin fruit growers.

$73,962.00
295

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Investigating biopesticides 

and alternative disease 

management strategies for 

vegetable crops grown on 

muck soils of Wisconsin

Dr. Amanda Gevens, Potato & Vegetable Disease Research and 

Extension Specialist, grower cooperators, graduate students, and 

University of Wisconsin Extension county educators will 1) investigate 

ecological factors of the pathogen causing potato silver scurf and 

integrated management options, 2) investigate biopesticide and other 

novel treatments for control of nematode and fungal pathogens in 

potato and carrot crops, 3) investigate integrated management 

options for onion Stemphyllium disease, and 4) communicate results 

of investigations to enhance integrated management practices 

through educational programming with muck vegetable growers of 

Wisconsin.

$72,388.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Sustainable soil nitrogen 

fertility management for 

hops in the Midwest

The UW-Extension Hop Working Group will reduce the risk of 

groundwater contamination through the study of optimum economic 

rates of nitrogen fertilizer needed in hops and the movement of 

nitrogen in soil profiles and disseminate information through hop 

grower meeting, field days, and electronic resources.

$60,630.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Testing effectiveness of 

lithium chloride in nucleus 

colonies under field 

conditions for its ability to 

control varroa destructor, a 

devastating paras

Dr. Brad Mogen will compare the effectiveness of lithium chloride salt 

treatments to standard varroacide treatments applied in field 

conditions throughout the beekeeping season and the subsequent 

overwintering success of treated hives, and disseminate results to 

stakeholders at state and regional beekeeping meetings.

$51,160.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40 Growing a farm to college 

community of practice

The University of Wisconsin Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems 

will build institutional demand for Wisconsin- grown specialty crops by 

developing a Farm to College Community of Practice comprised of 

university and college food service leaders to (1) Establish baseline 

data of college and universities’ procurement of target Wisconsinproduced and processed specialty crops, (2) Build capacity to purchase 

locally-sourced specialty crop products, (3) Provide technical 

assistance to reduce barriers to local specialty crop procurement, (4) 

Develop approximately 2-3 new pilot products, recipes and associated 

supply chains, and (5) Disseminate project brief to practitioner 

audiences in Wisconsin and beyond.

$50,000.00
296

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

An artificial intelligencebased pest management 

solution for cranberry 

Growers

The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association will contract with 

Laughlin Constable (a long-term consultant of the Association) to 

develop an artificial intelligence/machine learning application that will 

allow cranberry growers, researchers, pest management consultants 

and others to take a photo of an insect in the field using their 

smartphone device and immediately receive an identification of the 

insect, providing growers with important insight on whether or not the 

pest is harmful to the crop, reducing unnecessary treatments or 

consultant visits, and gathering data that could be used in the future to 

track infestations, provide early warning to nearby growers and more.

$45,000.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Education and outreach in 

specialty crop production 

for beginning, minority and 

underserved producers

DATCP - DAD staff will partner with successful specialty crop growers 

to conduct educational field days targeted to beginning, minority and 

underserved populations with the intent of increasing their knowledge 

and success in marketing Wisconsin specialty crops.

$40,000.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Developing a nursery stock 

supply chain of select 

germplasm from the Upper 

Midwest Hazelnut 

Development Initiative 

(UMHDI) breeding program

Bayfield County UW-Extension will enable scale-up of hazelnut 

production in Wisconsin through the development of a nursery stock 

supply chain to provide growers with affordable and field-ready 

planting stock of the top selections from the Upper Midwest Hazelnut 

Development Initiative breeding program.

$32,141.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40 Education for youth

The Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association will educate and 

expose youth and young adults to the live Christmas tree industry. 

Exposure will educate future producers to increase supply of real 

Christmas trees or as potential buyers to increase the demand, sales 

and market share of trees with the development of resources and will 

disseminate the results to stakeholders through grower meetings and 

publications.

$10,000.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Impact of mulch treatments 

on managing the 

devastating pest spotted 

wing drosophila and on fruit 

yield and quality

The University of Wisconsin will assess the impact of different types of 

mulch treatments on spotted wing drosophila adult presence and 

berry infestation, as well as the effect on fruit yield and quality, to 

provide recommendations for managing spotted wing drosophila and 

improve yield components to Wisconsin berry growers.

$99,883.00
297

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Increasing precision 

Integrated Pest 

Management in vegetable 

cropping systems using 

grower-driven scouting data 

and remote sensing

A multidisciplinary team of University of Wisconsin Extension faculty 

will increase the precision and on-farm adoption of IPM decisionmaking for vegetable production systems by analyzing existing crop 

scouting data to define where and when insect, disease and weed 

pests are most likely to occur and using hyperspectral imaging 

technology to identify pre-symptomatic disease infection in the field, 

allowing early treatment to prevent spread.

$99,303.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Evaluating the impact of 

pollinator habitat 

installations on fruit and 

vegetable pollination and 

yield

The Gratton Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will develop a 

better understanding of the relationship between pollinator habitat 

plantings, crop pollination, and yield outcomes to provide sciencebased management recommendations for small-scale vegetable 

farmers in Wisconsin and will disseminate results to stakeholders 

through grower meetings and online and printable materials.

$99,165.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Improving sustainability of 

potato and vegetable 

production in the Central 

Sands by understanding 

spatiotemporal variability of 

nitrate delivered thro

The Kucharik Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will help to 

modify nitrogen fertilizer use and improve water quality in the Central 

Sands region by quantifying spatial and temporal variability of nitratenitrogen in irrigation water and precipitation delivered to potato and 

other specialty crops (i.e. sweet corn, snap beans, and peas), and 

disseminating new nutrient management recommendations to 

growers and other stakeholders at annual education conferences.

$98,102.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Stopping rusty root on 

ginseng through research 

and education

The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin seeks to stabilize and increase their 

markets and strengthen the demand and price for their 201 growers 

including those in the Hmong community by offering blemish-free 

dried Ginseng root to their overseas consumers but recent outbreaks 

of the soil-mold Cylindrocarpon cause severe root blemishes (Rusty 

Root) and have greatly diminished root quality.

$95,882.00

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40

Comparison between 

variable rate irrigation and 

conventional center pivot 

for sustainable vegetable 

production in Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin - Madison will conduct a comprehensive 

study on commercial farms to compare Variable Rate Irrigation, a 

promising and sustainable strategy of agricultural water use, with 

conventional center pivot for vegetable production in Wisconsin, 

which ranks as one of the top states in the country.

$80,000.00
298

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection

$1,425,618.40 Grant Administration

Ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal and 

State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and postaward activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$113,864.42

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Grape Growing Guide for 

Beginner Producers in 

Wyoming

The University of Wyoming (UW) Extension along with UW Research 

will create a user-friendly publication on beginning grape production in 

Wyoming to increase the knowledge of beginning and existing 

producers on common issues in the state, cultivation techniques and 

strategies to overcome them. This comprehensive grape growing guide 

will be marketed and evaluated across Wyoming. The manual will 

incorporate the latest knowledge about grape production in Wyoming 

from previous and current research by the University of Wyoming.

$24,407.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Producer, Processor and 

Producer Groups Specialty 

Crop Research Grants

Through this project, the Wyoming Department of Agriculture will 

award six small grants to specialty crop producers, processors or 

specialty crop producer organizations in cooperation with a technical 

advisor to improve specialty crop operations. The grant funds will be 

competitive and may be used for costs of sampling and sample 

analysis, materials and supplies needed for the project, outreach 

expenses such as holding a field day, travel needed for the project, 

contracted labor to help accomplish outcomes, and other preapproved 

expenses. Results will be shared with others through publications, 

meetings and/or field days.

$48,126.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Evaluation of Yacon in 

Rotation with Fenugreek in 

Wyoming Environments

The University of Wyoming will evaluate available and promising 

genotypes and cultivars of yacon in Wyoming for the phenotypic 

adaptability and stability for growth, yield, and quality. The study will 

be conducted at the University of Wyoming James C. Hageman 

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center under irrigation 

in rotation with fenugreek. Selection will be made of well-adapted, 

high performing yacon genotypes and cultivars that will be suitable for 

Wyoming and perhaps neighboring states.

$37,599.00
299

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Optimizing Grapevine 

Canopy Management 

Practices for Improving Fruit 

Yield and Quality in 

Wyoming Vineyards

The University of Wyoming will work towards the optimization of 

canopy management practices for improving fruit yield and quality, 

and disseminate results to stakeholders at field days and conferences. 

The long-term goal of the project is to optimize important grapevine 

canopy management practices for enhancing berry and subsequently 

wine quality of cold-hardy table grape varieties grown in Wyoming 

vineyards.

$38,000.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Creating Guilds to Maintain 

the Health and Productivity 

of an Apple Orchard

Central Wyoming College Sinks Canyon Center seeks to reduce labor 

and inputs and increase biodiversity, health and productivity of its 

restored apple orchard near Lander, WY by incorporating the 

permaculture practice of “guilding.” The Center will hold workshops 

and provide information on the benefits of this practice for specialty 

crop producers.

$23,256.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37 Raspberry Variety Trial

University of Wyoming (UW) Extension will conduct raspberry variety 

research to evaluate cold-hardiness of 10 selected varieties to evaluate 

suitability for Wyoming production. Yield data will be collected to help 

producers decide which varieties to choose for local markets and fresh 

consumption. Information will be disseminated through UW press, UW 

Extension websites, specialty crop conferences and workshops, and 

UW Research and Extension Center field days.

$14,700.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Laramie County Library 

Water-wise Conversion 

Pollinator Habitat 

Bioretention System

The Laramie County Conservation District (LCCD) will convert an 

irrigated turf-lined monoculture infiltration pond into a biologically 

diverse pollinator habitat bioretention pond using water-wise species 

and efficiently captured storm runoff. Seeds from the pollinatorfriendly specialty crops will be collected and distributed to Laramie 

County residents through the Laramie County Library’s Seed Bank 

Program to promote an increase in pollinator habitat throughout the 

county for both native and domestic bees and other pollinators. 

Increased awareness of pollinator habitat and water-wise landscaping 

will take place through both the Seed Bank Program and educational 

programs conducted by library staff, LCCD staff, and other interested 

parties.

$24,500.00
300

Organization Amount Funded 

to Organization Project Title Description Project Budget

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Wyoming Ag Producer, 

Processor, and Handler 

Trade Event Marketing 

Grants

The Wyoming Business Council will help support independent specialty 

crops producers by providing trade show marketing grants to increase 

marketing opportunities and knowledge. The project will provide small 

marketing grants up to $1,450 to cover eligible expenses related to 

attending eligible trade events. Approximately six grants will be 

awarded with the requested funds.

$10,800.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37 Wyoming Specialty Crop 

Farm Walls

Wyoming Business Council through mini grants will increase 

knowledge on how to access or produce specialty crops using vertical 

farm walls in cities and towns around the state. The purpose of the 

project is to support the production of specialty crops throughout 

Wyoming by providing grants to install farm walls that will educate 

communities about the importance of specialty crops as well as 

innovative ways to grow them. Approximately 15 grants up to $1,450 

will be awarded to cover eligible expenses related to the purchase, 

installation and education of the farm walls.

$21,750.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37

Strawberry and Raspberry 

Cultivars, Season Extension 

and Productivity, and 

Adaptability to 

Northeastern Wyoming 

Climate and Soils.

Shiloh Valley Family Farm will establish plantings of strawberries and 

raspberries in Sheridan County to help determine which varieties are 

most suitable for commercial and organic production in northeastern 

Wyoming. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis on hoop house berry 

production will be conducted in order to provide information to 

current and aspiring producers of berries to help increase the 

profitability and sustainability of Wyoming growers.

$13,225.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37 Specialty Crop Agribusiness 

Directory

The Wyoming Department of Agriculture through a contractor will 

develop a Specialty Crop Agribusiness Directory to increase the 

production and consumption of specialty crops in Wyoming. The 

overall goal of the project is to increase the access, production and 

consumption of specialty crops, by developing and providing a 

comprehensive directory on Wyoming producers, processors, farmers 

markets and other direct to consumer businesses, technical assistance 

organizations and local specialty crop training opportunities.

$47,936.00

Wyoming 

Department of 

Agriculture

$353,019.37 Grant Administration

To ensure that the State Agency and sub-awardees abide by Federal 

and State requirements and regulations by performing pre-award and 

post-award activities to administer Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 

funding.

$48,496.72