News from Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo

USDA Awards $165,000 to UOG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 15, 2009 – Washington, D.C. –

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the University of Guam $164,711.28 in financial assistance.  The award is part of the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and will go towards a project that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.  Specifically, the University of Guam will use this award to obtain resistant, certified, disease-free taro and make them available to local producers.  The University of Guam is one of 55 grant recipients of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.   

“The financial assistance received today from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will assist the University of Guam in expanding access to fresh, locally-grown taro,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “I commend the University of Guam for their work in receiving this award.”

# # #

Contact: Matthew Mateo in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Derek Mandell at 671-477-4272/4.

matthew.mateo@mail.house.gov or derek.mandell@mail.house.gov