LANSING, Mich. – Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Keith Creagh announced Michigan will receive more than $1.3 million in federal dollars to create, enhance, or expand agriculture development ventures across the state.

"Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture sector continues to play a critical role in the state’s economic reinvention and these grants will fuel the development and expansion of specialty crop production and processing activities in our state," said Creagh. "The response for these competitive grants illustrates the industry’s commitment to develop innovative processing practices and strengthening Michigan’s impact in the global marketplace."

The grants are used to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan specialty crops through processors, agri-businesses, producers, local units of government, and legislatively authorized commodity boards in Michigan; including, but not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

The department received 46 proposals totaling $2.3 million with 21 proposals recommended to receive $1.1 million in grant funding. Grant applications were evaluated, scored, and ranked by a Joint Evaluation Committee composed of MDARD and industry representatives not directly involved in any grant proposals.

Projects selected to receive funding are:

West Michigan Tourism Association: Regional Agri-Tourism Marketing Plan - $72,700

A Proposal to Expand the Michigan Plum Market by Identifying, Matching, and Communicating Plum Variety Characteristics to Packers, Shippers, and Buyers of Michigan Plums - $13,600

Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board: Seeking Expansion of IPM Tools for Asparagus Production - $59,975

Michigan Bean Commission: Assessment of Narrow Row Technology for the Michigan Dry Bean Industry - $75,000

Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University: Improving Fruit Quality in Concord Grapevines for Sustainable and Economical Production of Juice Grapes in Michigan - $63,089

Cherry Marketing Institute: A Scientific Look at the Power of Tart Cherries - $75,000

Michigan State University, Department of Entomology: Reducing the Impact of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug on Michigan Fruit - $64,096

Michigan Farm Bureau: Fruit Inventory Survey - $75,000

Michigan Christmas Tree Association: Make it a Real Michigan Christmas: Promoting Michigan-grown Poinsettias and Christmas Trees - $75,000

Michigan Food & Farming System: Increasing Accessibility to Specialty Crops in Underserved Communities through Farmers - $53,496

Food Bank Council of Michigan: Enhancing the Profitability of Michigan’s Specialty Crops Growers through Retail, Wholesale and Institutional Channels and continuous improvement of Food Safety Plans - $47,779

Michigan Apple Committee: Promoting Fresh & Processed Apples in Chicago and Targeted Restaurant Groups - $75,000

Michigan Potato Industry Commission: Expansion Program of MSU Enviro-Weather Network - $41,196

Michigan Carrot Industry Development Program: Enhancement of Knowledge & Control of Foliar Diseases of Carrot - $19,000

Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association: Major Weed Control Issues in Michigan Nurseries - $75,000

Chestnut Growers, Inc: Improving the Quality of Michigan-Grown Chestnuts - $14,526

Michigan State University, Department of Bio-systems and Agricultural Engineering: Quality Assurance and Increased Cherry Utilization through Computed Tomography to Improve the Detection of Pits and Insects in Cherries - $40,156

Peterson Farms - Lakeshore Environmental, Inc.: Winter Wastewater Spray Irrigation Feasibility Study - $61,290

National Grape Cooperative: Implementation of the Grape*A*Syst program to enhance the competitiveness of the Michigan juice grape industry - $13,500

Michigan State University, Plant Pathology: Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small Fruit Crops in Michigan by Monitoring and Diagnosing Virus Infections - $19,806

Michigan State University, Plant Pathology: Control of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes with Rotation Crops - $19,687

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