The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has distributed US$2.08 million to 19 food and agriculture entities under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
MDARD Director Tim Boring said the grants will help address challenges such as market instability, weather variability, and labour shortages while supporting productivity and market access. Earlier this year, Boring urged Congress to maintain consistent funding for the program during testimony before both the U.S. House and Senate.
The 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grants will fund 22 projects statewide. The Michigan Apple Committee received US$125,000 to improve marketing for Michigan apples, and the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board was awarded US$100,000 for climate-resilient production and soil management. The Michigan Bean Commission obtained US$99,999 for sustainable dry bean production, while the Michigan Blueberry Commission received two grants totalling US$165,797 for anthracnose management and drosophila control.
Michigan Celery Research was granted US$99,998 to manage herbicide-resistant weeds and reduce bolting, and the Cherry Marketing Institute received US$122,500 to improve its digital presence. The Michigan Christmas Tree Association secured US$89,444 for disease management, and the Michigan Grape Society received US$97,941 for sustainable vineyard establishment. The Hop Growers of Michigan were awarded US$99,000 to combat downy mildew.
The Michigan State Horticultural Society obtained two grants totalling US$199,200 to enhance controlled-environment strawberry quality and develop a mobile app for weather-based pest and crop forecasting. The Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association received US$119,999 for research on alternative pesticides and weed control methods.
The Michigan Onion Committee received US$99,108 to manage leaf spot, and the Michigan Potato Industry Commission was granted US$85,630 to study nitrogen fertilizer use. The Michigan Vegetable Council obtained US$96,925 for root-knot nematode control, while the Michigan Wine Collaborative received US$64,800 for a training program for wine wholesalers and retailers.
Additional recipients include Area Community Services, Employment & Training Council (US$83,470) for food safety certification, MDARD's International Marketing Program (US$158,395) for crop promotion, and New City Neighbors (US$98,822) to expand specialty crop training in west Michigan.
Michigan remains one of the top five U.S. producers of specialty crops such as apples, asparagus, blueberries, dry beans, squash, and nursery plants, contributing to the state's US$126 billion food and agriculture industry.
For more information:
Lynsey Mukomel
MDARD
Tel: +1 517 290 1734
Email: [email protected]
www.michigan.gov
