By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana encourages farmers’ markets and specialty crop-related entities to take advantage of federal funds designed to support their efforts in 2011 and 2012. This is part of $55 million being spread nationwide for specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Specific specialty crops include algae, chickpeas, Christmas trees, cocoa, coffee, cut flowers, dry edible beans, dry peas, foliage, fruit grapes for wine, garlic, ginger root, ginseng, herbs, honey, hops, kava, lavender, lentils, maple syrup, mushrooms, organic fruits and vegetables, peppermint, potatoes, seaweed, spearmint, sweet corn, vanilla and vegetable seeds.
Funding requests under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) are available in the range of $2,000-$50,000 for activities and practices affecting the specialty crop industry, including:
•Increasing child and adult nutrition know
ledge and consumption

•Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems

•Helping entities establish good agricultural, handling and manufacturing practices

•Investing in research such as enhancing food safety, developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops, pest and disease control and sustainability

•Market promotion of qualified Indiana food & agricultural products
Applications must be submitted via e-mail to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) by June 17.

Commissions, public entities, associations and nonprofit organizations that represent specialty crops as defined by the USDA in Indiana agriculture are eligible to apply.

Funding requests under the Farmers’ Market Cost-Share Reimbursement Program are available for up to $500 per organization for advertising, displays and promotional materials to increase consumer awareness and overall appeal of Indiana farmers’ markets and to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Farmers’ market directors or market masters with an established farmers’ market listed on ISDA’s website are eligible to apply. Funds will be paid to qualifying entities on a first-come, first-served basis. Any previously awarded recipients in 2010 may reapply for a second reimbursement as of July 15.
Applications for both programs can be found on the ISDA website under “ISDA Grants” at www.in.gov/isda/2522.htm