WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Michigan $1.2 million to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state.  The funding was provided through the Specialty Crop Block Program and will be used for 25 projects in Michigan, including several that could benefit specialty crop growers in Northern Michigan.

“This funding will help improve the livelihood of local growers in specialty crop industries, including the cherry and potato industries, and promote their products across the state,” Stupak said.  “Buying local produce is a win for famers who receive economic gains and a win for consumers who receive health benefits.  I applaud the USDA for its continued commitment to promoting this important industry in our state.”

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

Michigan projects that will receive funding include:

·        A partnership with Michigan Food and Farming Systems to provide food safety education and information on the latest food safety research to support specialty crop producers in completing and implementing a Good Agricultural Practices and/or Good Handling Practices plan.

·        A partnership with the Michigan Potato Management Board to conduct comparative acrylamide testing to determine asparagine levels in raw tubers after harvest.

·        The creation of a Select Michigan consumer directory of nurseries, greenhouses, and sod operations; organization of a Select Michigan farmers market that only specialty crop companies and businesses will be permitted to participate in; maintenance of the Select Michigan web site to promote specialty crop companies; and creation of a statewide outdoor advertising campaign for Michigan specialty crops focusing on the specialty crop from which a particular product was made.

·        A partnership with the Cherry Marketing Institute to conduct an interactive/social marketing initiative to promote tart cherries.

·        Formation of a Culinary Tourism Alliance to increase sales and profitability for Michigan specialty crops through increased menu offerings of local products at Michigan restaurants and promote Michigan as a destination for culinary travel experiences.

·        Partnership with the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association to investigate strategies for controlling weeds with non-chemical cultural practices and characterize the diversity and abundance of weedy plants present.

In all, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards totaling $49 million were announced for 745 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories and commonwealths.

Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, USDA is committed to increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, improving efficiency and reducing costs of crop distribution systems, investing in specialty crop research, enhancing food safety, developing new and improved specialty crop varieties, and fostering organic and sustainable production practices.

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