Grant applications open for Colorado specialty crops

     To help develop and promote the state’s specialty crops, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals for the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nursery crops including floriculture and sod.
     “Colorado produces a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and horticultural products,” said Glenda Mostek, CDA marketing specialist. “This grant program provides a great opportunity to improve the economic well-being of Colorado specialty crop producers by investigating potential crops, fighting diseases and introducing innovative farming techniques.”
     In recent years, funds have been awarded to dozens of organizations, helping them to conduct research and implement consumer promotions.  These grants included funds for Colorado State University to investigate Aronia berries as an alternate crop for Colorado, and to the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee to study crop rotation to promote soil health.
 

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