The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $8,440,500 million in grant funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

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The funds announced under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) are authorized by the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C.

1621 note).

The application process to apply for the SCBGP funds can be found in 7 CFR part 129 0. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to AMS anytime between March 5, 2008 and March 5, 200 9. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are eligible to apply.

Please contact your local State department of agriculture if you are not eligible to apply as defined above.

State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and community-based organizations in the development of applications and the administration of projects.

Applications must be postmarked no later than March 5, 200 9.