8/16/2011
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass will present Specialty Crop Block Grant awards to nine West Virginia recipients at the State Fair of West Virginia in the Gus R. Douglass Annex Building Tuesday, August 16, at 4:30 p.m. Over the past six years, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has distributed approximately $1 million in funding to 134 projects throughout the state through a competitive grant award program. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the WVDA. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, herbs, horticulture goods, nursery stock and value-added products. The grant program encourages cooperative efforts to integrate technology at the farm level, improve marketing and promotion of locally grown specialty crops, and increase production efficiency through research projects.
“The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has made a difference in West Virginia’s farm economy,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “The 2011 grant projects reflect a commitment by the farming community to research, grow and market specialty crop products and we are pleased to make these grant awards to strengthen promotions and research current issues in the West Virginia food supply.”
The following grant recipients have been selected by the State Specialty Crop Block Grant Review Committee and approved by the USDA in Washington, D.C.:
- “Farmers’ Market Collaborative”, Gilmer County Economic Development Association (Glenville, Gilmer County)
The Gilmer County Economic Development Association (GCEDA) is partnering with the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Gilmer County High School (GCHS), Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center (CGCC) Environmental Studies Class, Culinary Arts Class and Beekeepers from Last Resort Farm in Ritchie County. This project is targeting the youth in the area to enhance the need for agriculture, proper nutrition and the importance of Beekeeping to maximize pollination for a better harvest. Funds will be used to develop entrepreneurial training materials, education on proper handling and growing techniques and ways to market products through nutrition education and cooking classes.
- “Tamarack Farmers’ Market”, Tamarack Foundation (Beckley, Raleigh County)
The Tamarack Farmers Market will focus on the development and eventual expansion of providing an upscale location which will feature specialty crop foods and value added specialty crops.
- “Using a Community Farmers’ Market to Facilitate the Marketing of Specialty Crops in North-Central West Virginia”, South Morgantown Community Farmers’ Market (Morgantown, Monongalia County)
Through increased consumer education and marketing, the newly organized South Morgantown Community Farmers’ Market will utilize funds to increase the availability of specialty crops in the community especially during the early spring and late fall time periods. The Market will also focus on increasing sales of produce to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants by providing incentive to visit the Market.
- “Training and Educating Young Beekeepers”, North Central West Virginia Beekeepers Association (Clarksburg, Harrison County)
The North Central West Virginia Beekeepers Association, in conjunction with the WVU Extension Service 4-H programs of Harrison & Doddridge Counties, will help 4-H youth from each of the two counties become new beekeepers.
- “Future Farmers’ Market””, Liberty High School (Glen Daniel, Raleigh County)
Building on an earlier highly successful Specialty Crop Block Grant Program project (Kera Cherrey, “Food & Culture” curriculum development), the school will develop a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) through the FFA to work with the developed curriculum to teach young adults how to grow, harvest and market their crops. A “Future Farmers’ Market” will provide cut flowers and vegetables to the Beckley Uptown Farmers Market while allowing a coordinated mission between multiple departments to better reach all students.
- “Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs on Specialty Crops in West Virginia”, West Virginia University Research Corporation (Morgantown, Statewide)
This project will conduct timely important research and outreach needed for specialty-crop protection against the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in West Virginia. Since BMSB was reported for the first time in West Virginia in 2004, it has become a major agricultural pest in many counties of West Virginia. BMSB feeds on a wide range of host plants and high-value specialty crops are more prone to BMSB damage. Few control measures are effective against BMSB on specialty crops. The goal of this research and education project is to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for growers to manage BMSB on specialty crops in West Virginia.
- “New Homes for the Honeybees”, West Central Beekeepers Association (Reedy, Roane County)
A variety of fruit trees, brambles, grapes and blueberries will be grown to increase fruit production while providing an increased supply of pollen and nectar for honeybees. The project will be student centered to increase interest and develop successful beekeepers for the future.
- “Increasing the Number of Christmas Tree Growers in West Virginia”, West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association (Heaters, Statewide)
For the past 57 years, the West Virginia Christmas Tree Association members have been producing and promoting state grown Christmas trees. Recently, grower numbers have substantially decreased leaving some 25 counties without a “Choose and Cut” Christmas tree farm. The purpose of this project is to increase the number of Christmas tree growers in West Virginia to assure availability of locally-grown trees. Twelve (12) regional workshops will be held throughout the state to promote the cultivation, management and marketing practices necessary to successfully produce quality West Virginia grown Christmas trees.
- “Sharing the Bounty Incubator”, Arnettsville Community Association (Morgantown, Monongalia County)
This project, administered by the Arnettsville Community Association (ACA), will build on the talents of local 4-H leaders, Master Gardeners, University Extension, farmers, businesspeople, community volunteers and others to create/expand local specialty crops businesses; improve access to and consumption of specialty crops by the entire community; inspire local youth to create their own businesses; and encourage the transfer of skills between senior citizens and younger generations.
Contact Information
Buddy Davidson, Communications Officer
304-558-3708; 304-541-5932 (cell)
bdavidson@ag.state.wv.us