The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has announced the availability of over $267,000 in grants for projects aimed at promoting specialty crops within the state. These funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
“Nevada’s specialty crop industry has so much potential, and we are excited to support projects that foster the industry’s growth,” said NDA Agriculturist IV Jozo Vujeva. “We encourage organizations with research, education or production ideas that would benefit Nevada’s specialty crops to apply.”
Specialty crops, as defined by the USDA, include “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, legumes, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Previous grant funds have supported a variety of initiatives such as assisting producers in marketing their products through programs like the Women’s Farm to Food Accelerator Program and conducting research on suitable bean varieties for Nevada’s climate at the University of Nevada, Reno. Additionally, educational and outreach efforts have been supported through partnerships with organizations like the Nevada Farm Bureau.
Eligible project proposals should focus on promoting and enhancing specialty crops via research, marketing, education, and production activities. Importantly, these projects must provide benefits to multiple parties rather than just a single individual or organization. The NDA encourages applications from individual agricultural producers, non-profit and tribal organizations, minority groups, disadvantaged farmers, agricultural associations, industry groups, community-based organizations and academic institutions.
