MDA Grants Fund Specialty Crop Projects

Jan 06, 2017

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded $1 million in grant funding to specialty crop growers in the state to help them compete in today’s marketplace. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticultural and nursery crops. In 2015, specialty crops accounted for roughly 6% of all crop production in Minnesota. The MDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program receives funding under the current Farm Bill.

“These grants give farmers, producers, and researchers a way to increase the demand for the specialty crops they’re already growing,” said MDA Grants Coordinator David Weinand. “This year’s projects are maximizing the value of specialty crops and contributing to Minnesota’s greater agricultural economy. It’s exciting to see so many innovative projects receive funding.”

A variety of projects have been awarded grants, from breeding short season specialty crop varieties to statewide marketing campaigns and pest mitigation research. In addition to growers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities all received funding to further a specialty crop industry or segment through the SCBG Program.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.