The Illinois Department of Agriculture said Thursday the
money is part of the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
Acting Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider said
in a news release the money will help improve the state's specialty
crop sector. He called it a priority.
The state department will use the money to fund in-state
specialty crop projects. Grant applications are being accepted by
the department until March 15.
Proposed projects will need to meet one or more of a handful of
criteria. They include increasing consumers' awareness and
consumption of specialty crops and improving the distribution system
for such crops.
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For more information:
http://www.agr.state.il.us/
Grants/specialtycrops.html
[Associated Press]
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