USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULE FOR SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

ISSUE 1112

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULE FOR SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
USDA announced Wednesday (April 19) it is accepting written comments on a proposed rule for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 authorizes USDA to make grants to states for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to be used by state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Of the $7 million available for grants, each state that applies would receive $100,000. An additional amount could be included based on the value of specialty crop production in a state in relation to the national value of specialty crop production for the previous calendar year.
The proposal and request for comments appeared in the April 20, 2006, Federal Register, which may be accessed through a link in the Resource Library section of www.ffva.com. Just click here.
Comments on the provisions of the proposed rule must be received by May 22 and comments on the information collection burden must be received by June 19. Comments should be sent to: Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Stop 0243, Washington, D.C. 20250-0243; fax, (202) 690-0102; e-mail, Scblockgrants@usda.gov; or the Internet, http://www.regulations.gov.