LANSING, Mich. – State officials in Michigan have just announced a number of specialty crop block grant awards, which are federal funds that support the specialty crop industry.

“I appreciate USDA’s commitment to investing in Michigan’s robust food and agriculture sector,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in an announcement. “These grants are a win-win for our farmers, producers, distributors and consumers as we look to increase access to Pure Michigan food and agriculture. I appreciate the USDA and Sen. Stabenow’s leadership to secure this critical funding in support of Michigan’s vibrant specialty crop industry.”

Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow made her own statement, noting that Michigan leads the way in the production of many fruits and vegetables and that Michigan is second only to California in the diversity of its crops. Stabenow has helped raise the profile of specialty crops over the past number of years and was instrumental in getting a separate title to the U.S. farm bill for specialty crops. About this latest round of grants, Stabenow said “this new support is a big win for Michigan agriculture. It will help our farmers keep their competitive edge and continue to provide healthy fruits and vegetables to American families.”

Eighteen grants were announced altogether. The Michigan Tree Fruit Commission got one award in the amount of $99,984. Tree Fruit Commission Chairman of the Board Jim Nugent praised the specialty crop grant program. “These specialty crop block grants are a great help to the fruit and vegetable industry in Michigan,” Nugent said. Nugent is a cherry grower in Suttons Bay, north of Traverse City. “A previous grant really helped in controlling Spotted wing drosophila, which attacks raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and cherries. The grant has been really valuable to us. These grants have also been a great help in upgrading the Enviroweather service at Michigan State University. Crop block grants have really been used wisely in Michigan, in my opinion.”

The grant just awarded to the Tree Fruit Commission will help apple growers deal with the potential risk of Listeria contamination in Michigan apples. Another grant, for $99,979, was just awarded to the Michigan State Horticultural Society. It will help wine grape growers in Michigan combat the grape berry moth, a significant pest for grapes. While many of the grants provide funding to help growers deal with pests unique to their particular crop, others will help finance marketing and advertising efforts. The Michigan Craft Beverage Council has received a grant of $45,662 to develop a grower directory for the Michigan craft beverage industry; and the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) International Program has received a grant – the largest of the bunch – of $168,590. It will aid in the promotion of Michigan specialty crops both domestically and internationally, explained Jamie Zmitko-Somers, division director of MDARD’s agriculture development division.

The agriculture development division of MDARD hosts tours with buyers to “show them our products and show how high quality our products are,” Zmitko-Somers said. “For example, we do this with potatoes for potato chip makers, as well as companies that can potatoes. The goal is to promote Michigan made products to buyers both domestically and internationally. We also sometimes pay for commodity groups to attend trade shows and promote their products.” Zmitko-Somers explained that exhibiting at a trade show can cost $12,000 to $15,000. One of the largest food trade shows in the world, the SIAL in Paris, France, will have Michigan commodity groups there to represent specialty crop growers. The specialty crop block grant just awarded to the agriculture development division will help pay for the opportunity. Another prominent trade show, the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, is expected to have representatives from Michigan for the state’s potato, apple, cherry and dry bean growers next year.