USDA awards $2 million in grants to help Michigan farms grow specialty crops

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $2 million in grants to farm groups in Michigan 
• The grants were from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program 
• Recipients range from hop growers to potato growers 

The federal government is shelling out $2 million to make specialty crops produced in Michigan — from Christmas trees to apples and dry beans — more competitive in the marketplace. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded grants of up to $125,000 to support projects from various farm organizations and councils, such as the Michigan Carrot Committee, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board and the Midwest Chestnut Producers Council.  In addition, Michigan Department of Agriculture’s International Marketing program will receive $155,000 for international and domestic promotion of Michigan specialty crops.

Among the biggest grant recipients are the Michigan State Horticultural Society — $125,000 for a marketing campaign to promote the consumption of Michigan-grown strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries — and the Michigan Apple Committee.

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“Michigan specialty crops increase the diversity of the food and agriculture industry in the state and create more value per acre for Michigan farmers," said Tim Boring, director of the state agricultural department, in a press statement.

“Thanks to the ongoing funding from USDA, Michigan’s farmers have greater opportunity to advance their research, be more competitive in the marketplace, and create economic opportunities within the specialty crop sector.” 

The USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture, used by people for food, medicinal purposes. 

“We are happy to once again be partnered with Michigan on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA under-secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, in a statement.  

Here’s a full list of 2024 Michigan recipients of USDA specialty crop block grants:  

• Allen Neighborhood Center — $102,611 
• Hop Growers of Michigan — $94,000
  Michigan Ag Council — $100,000
• Michigan Apple Committee — $125,000 
• Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board — $124,984 
• Michigan Bean Commission — $99,894 
• Michigan Bean Commission — $80,665 
• Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee — $6,431 
• Michigan Blueberry Commission — $100,000 
• Michigan Carrot Committee — $99,693 
• Michigan Celery Research, Inc. — $99,283 
• Michigan Cherry Committee — $98,995 
• Michigan Christmas Tree Association — $75,002 
• Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council — $100,000 
• Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association — $99,925 
• Michigan Potato Industry Commission — $99,644 
• Michigan State Horticultural Society —  $125,000 
• Michigan Tree Fruit Commission — $97,208 
• Michigan Vegetable Council — $99,576 
• Michigan Vegetable Council — $100,000 
• Midwest Chestnut Producers Council — $99,000  
• West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, Inc. — $42,379.34 
• MI Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Program — $155,267.69