Kansas Department of Agriculture receives $331,513 for crop programs

(KOAM) - The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has been awarded $331,513.22 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service.

This grant aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops.

KDA has selected several projects to utilize these funds, supporting various initiatives across the state:

1. Highland Community College Viticulture and Enology Program : A three-pronged marketing campaign will promote Kansas' grape and wine industry. The project includes leasing billboards along interstate highways, a social media campaign, and support for the Cheers Kansas wine festival.

2. Our Earliest Eaters : In collaboration with the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, KDA will provide 50 licensed early child care facilities with curriculum and reimbursements for locally grown fruits and vegetables, aiming to boost child nutrition and specialty crop consumption.

3. Expanding Networking and Market Opportunities : The Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association will work to expand regional networks among growers and markets, increasing the diversity of locally grown produce.

4. Creating Connections to Specialty Crops Markets : The Kansas State Department of Education will facilitate workshops to enhance the use of specialty crops in Child Nutrition Programs, connecting food service directors with producers for better procurement and collaboration.

5. Exploring Mungbean Production : Kansas State University, in partnership with Crop Quest Inc. and a local farmer, will investigate mungbean production and its adaptability across Kansas.

6. Protecting Nursery Plants : A research project at Kansas State University will develop strategies to mitigate damage from redheaded flea beetles affecting container-grown nursery plants.

7. Increasing Specialty Crop Consumption : Prairieland Market will offer educational programs in Saline County to promote the purchase, preparation, and preservation of specialty crops.

USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Jenny Lester Moffitt, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "The innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown specialty crops."

For more details on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, visit the KDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/SpecialtyCropBlockGrant .

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.