MDARD Announces 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today the Michigan recipients of the U.S. Department of Agriculture s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. 

"Michigan is better when there's increased diversity within our food and agricultural sector, more specialty crops, and more value per acre for our farmers," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "USDA's funding helps Michigan farmers to keep their competitive edge, advance research, and create new economic opportunities within the specialty crop sector especially as the agricultural community continues to be deeply impacted by the effects of climate change. We greatly appreciate USDA's and Senator Stabenow's ongoing support of Michigan s farming families and businesses."

The grants, with a maximum award of $125,000 each, enhance the competitiveness of the state's specialty crops. Below is the list of grantees: 

• MBG Marketing: $97,878 Demand for Blueberries: Understanding Consumers Preferences to Increase Michigan Growers Market Competitiveness
• Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board: $100,000 Decision Support to Improve Asparagus Yield, Quality, and Industry Competitiveness Under Weather Extremes
• Michigan Tree Fruit Commission: $98,237 Improving Irrigation and Fertilizer Management in New and Established High-Density Apple Orchards
• Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association: $100,000 Time for Alternatives to Glyphosate: Post- and Pre- Herbicide Combos
• Michigan Blueberry Commission: $99,000 Advancing Etiology, Detection, and Management of Michigan Blueberry Viruses
• Michigan Celery Research, Inc.: $97,451 A New Leaf Disease and a Seedling Root Rot Require Solutions for Celery Growers
• Michigan Bean Commission: $100,000 Sustainable Dry Bean Production Systems: Improving Production for an Evolving Market Place
• Michigan Vegetable Council: $98,084 Can New Cultivars be the Answer to Rhizomania, the New Table Beet Disease.
• Michigan Cherry Committee: $125,000 Discovering and Targeting Key Buyers for Michigan Sweet and Tart Cherries
• Michigan Onion Committee: $98,780 Influence of Tip/Leaf Burn and New Fungicides on Onion Stemphylium Leaf Blight
• Hop Growers of Michigan: $105,549 Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Michigan Hop Industry
• Michigan State Horticultural Society: $100,000 Use of Bio Stimulants to Improve Fresh Market Blueberry Quality and Value
• Michigan Apple Committee: $125,000 - #1 Social Media Marketing to Engage Target Audience and Enhance Competitiveness of Michigan Apples
• Michigan Carrot Committee: $100,000 Determining Action Thresholds and Management Strategies for Two Root Lesion Nematode Pests of Michigan Carrot Production
• Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association: $125,000 Expanding Michigan Wine Demand Across the U.S. Utilizing Consumer and Industry Wine Education
• Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo: $80,000 Advancing Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Grower Knowledge and Efficiency Through the Great Lakes Expo
• Kid's Food Basket: $125,000 Market and Promote the Expansion of Specialty Crops to Enhance Increased Consumption in West Michigan
• Michigan Christmas Tree Association: $89,081 Improving Establishment of Christmas Tree Plantations Through Research and Education
• Michigan Potato Industry Commission: $93,795.50 Educating Food Insecure and Non-English-Speaking Audiences on Michigan Potatoes as a Healthy and Affordable Option
• MDARD's International Marketing Program: $158,395 International and Domestic Promotion of Michigan Specialty Crops