Photo courtesy of My Central Oregon
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is looking for specialty crop producers to take part in a federal program for specialty crops.
Two- to three-step concept proposals containing various specialty crop-related projects are to be submitted between Jan. 1, 2011 and Feb. 15, 2011 for consideration.
Approximately $1 million is available for associations, producer groups, commodity commissions and local government agencies looking to improve Oregon’s specialty crop season. The money is part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block program through the 2008 Farm Bill.
Eligible projects include market development for international and local markets, product and variety development, innovation and productivity, consumer education, food safety, certification costs and value-added initiatives.
An advisory board of industry representatives will review the proposals and select the top ranked proposals by March 30. Those selected will submit a full proposal by May 16 for a second evaluation and funding will be announced by October or November 2011.
For more information contact Katie Pearmine at ODA’s Agricultural Development and Marketing Division at (503) 872-6600.
Funding and loans are available for all sectors of agriculture. Contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585 for more information, or visit online at . 
Written by Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Staff Writer