(ND Ag Connection) – As the calendar moves towards January 17, 2024, North Dakota’s agricultural community gears up for the application deadline of the Specialty Crop Grants. This initiative, overseen by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA), is a pivotal moment for those involved in the state’s diverse agricultural sector.

Agriculture Commissioner Goehring emphasizes that projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state are prime candidates for this funding opportunity. Eligible projects span a wide array, including food safety enhancements, pest and disease control, development of new crop varieties, and initiatives to improve nutrition knowledge and consumption.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) categorizes fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and various horticulture and nursery crops as specialty crops. In North Dakota, this includes commercially grown products like dry beans, peas, lentils, potatoes, and sunflowers.

Interested parties can access a comprehensive information manual with application guidelines on the NDDA website.

All applications must be submitted electronically by 4 p.m. CST on January 17. Post-submission, the applications undergo a rigorous review process. The selected projects will receive USDA’s final approval in May 2024, with project initiation slated for October 1, 2024.