GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan cherry, asparagus, maple syrup, apple, Christmas tree and potato growers are among the specialty crop growers who will benefit from 30 projects announced by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The projects, most of which will be run in conjunction with groups that promote the crops or the MDARD, will spend about $1.9 million. They were among some $67 million in special block grants announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday, Oct. 2.
“One of my top priorities was making sure the 2014 Farm Bill had major support for the fruits and vegetables we grow in Michigan, which gives families better access to local food options and supports our economy,” said Stabenow, chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Michigan farmers who will have additional tools and resources to help promote and sell their products to consumers, protect their crops from pests and disease, and develop better production practices,” said the Michigan Democrat.
“Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture sector continues to play a critical role in our economic reinvention,” Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said. “These grants help fuel the development and expansion of specialty crop production in our state while strengthening Michigan’s impact in the global marketplace."
The projects are funded through the federal farm bill, which Stabenow co-authored and President Barack Obama signed into law last year. The new farm bill includes more support programs for specialty crop farmers than past bills. Michigan farmers received $1.3 million from the federal government last year.
The projects range from marketing campaigns to promote real Christmas trees and tart cherries to scientific studies aimed at reducing the amount of water used for irrigation or food processing.
Michigan produces a wider diversity of crops than any state but California, according to a news release from Stabenow’s office.
“Michigan is the national leader in the production of over 18 types of crops, and Michigan specialty crop production has increased 33 percent in the last decade. “
Below is a list of the project recipients and the funding announced on Thursday, Oct. 2:
- Allen Neighborhood Center : $75,000
- Cherry Marketing Institute : $75,000
- Cherry Marketing Institute : $79,088
- Commercial Maple Syrup Producers of Michigan: $49,016
- Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design: $27,527
- Lakeshore Environmental, Inc.: $80,448
- Forgotten Harvest : $23,488
- MBG Marketing : $20,994
- Michigan Apple Committee : $35,000
- Michigan Apple Committee : $75,000
- Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program: $11,720
- Michigan Bean Commission : $74,994
- Michigan Carrot Committee : $67,176
- Michigan Cherry Committee $57,196
- Michigan Christmas Tree Association : $34,084
- Michigan Farm Bureau : $145,000
- Michigan Floriculture : $66,317
- Michigan Food & Farming Systems : $69,417
- Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council : $75,000
- Michigan Maple Syrup Association : $75,000
- Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association : $75,000
- Michigan Potato Industry Commission : $56,000
- Michigan Potato Industry Commission : $20,079
- Michigan Vegetable Council : $73,729
- Michigan Vegetable Council : $57,000
- National Grape Cooperative : $75,000