Specialty Crop Block Grant Workshop To Be Held In St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture will host a workshop to inform those interested in receiving funds from a specialty crop black grant that was made available through federal funding, on how to successfully apply for the grant.

The workshop will be held at the University of the Virgin Islands campus in room ACC 142 on Thursday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m., according to a D.O.A. release.

Topics to be discussed include: definition of specialty crop, purpose of grant, history of grant program (nationally/locally), application process, eligibility and sub-grantee responsibility, proposal criteria and format, proposal evaluation criteria and reporting.

The program is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (U.S.D.A.) Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Block Grant, which is part of the Farm Bill 2015 program.

The purpose of the program is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Virgin Islands specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent. Project proposals that benefit the following specialty crops are encouraged and will be given first preference: orchard establishment, urban agriculture projects/ community gardens and agriculture training.

D.O.A. says it’s currently seeking applications from individual farmers, non-profit organizations, corporations, businesses, commodity associations, state and local government entities, and universities.  Mr. Robles encourages interested persons to take advantage of the opportunity, stating that the program could help advance the agriculture industry in the territory.

Grant funds will be prioritized towards projects that can be used as models or as pilot projects where one producer/organization is willing to show what they have done to any other interested farmer, person or organization as long as certain specific conditions are met. This may include on-site filming for the D.O.A.’s “Fresh from the Farm” television program or for Special Crop Block Grant promotional purposes.

Proposals/applications for grant funds should describe how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria: sustainability, feasibility (consider goal, resources), matching resources, experience of applicant, thoroughness of proposal, realistic nature of budget, timely submission, and overall potential for success.

D.O.A. will accept grant applications from each applicant with a value of up to $5,000 and a minimum of $1,000. Application deadline is April 15, 2016.

Feature Image: Dale Browne of Sejah Farm holds a freshly-picked yellow zucchini.

Image Credit: VIC.