By STEVE BINDER
Illinois Correspondent SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Research projects took center stage once again as the top recipients of Illinois’ share of money from the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, awards announced earlier this month by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. A total of 10 projects will split the state’s allocation of $550,000 this year, up slightly from last year’s $520,000 in specialty crop funding. More than 120 applications were received for this year’s competitive grant program, said Raymond Poe, the state’s agriculture director. “Our state’s specialty crop industry continues to do well, and it is expanding every year,” he said. “The interest in this grant program shows that our state will continue to increase our state’s agricultural footprint.” Grant award announcements vary by state; the USDA, as authorized under the most recent farm bill, divided about $60.2 million among all states for this year’s program. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale researchers came away as big winners again this year with a total of $180,073 for three projects, including two that will be overseen by agriculture professor Rupal Choudhary. His proposal to examine different washing and handling techniques of salad greens, cherry tomatoes and melons to determine the best method of reducing microbial contamination was funded for $63,851. Choudhary’s project also is designed to determine the best shelf life for salad greens, as well as to stave off the browning and molding of salad greens. He also will receive $88,000 to investigate the effect of emerging pre- and post-harvest treatments in strawberry whole fruit proteome, to identify biomarkers for assessing safety, quality and shelf life. SIUC professor Wayne Glass will receive $28,222 to analyze research on best practices for managing hops production in Illinois, including on-farm start-up and growing practices, food safety and supply chain management, production costs and sustainability options. Other awards this year include: •$44,875 to the Illinois Specialty Growers Assoc. to offer educational outreach for the annual Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism Conference and regional extension meetings throughout the state •$57,610 to professor Hao Feng of the University of Illinois to develop a new ultrasound and hot water combined sanitation treatment to clean microgreen seeds, and a new antimicrobial spray to control the microbial growth during microgreen sprouting •$79,802 to professor Rabine Bhattarai of the U of I to develop strategies for viable and sustainable systems of nontraditional irrigation water sources for specialty crops •$79,850 to the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Assoc. to establish a certification program for specific wine styles •$24,133 to Sola Gratia Farm’s Traci Barkley to expand access to fresh produce in low-income populations in Urbana and Champaign •$42,807 to FamilyFarmed to increase the food safety risk assessment skills of Illinois specialty crop farmers •$41,888 to The Land Connection to increase consumer knowledge of the availability, nutritional value and ways to prepare Illinois specialty crops |
