APPLICATION WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED FOR 2010 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

Workshops to be held in Sacramento, Fresno, Salinas and Ontario

SACRAMENTO, January 7, 2010 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture will hold application workshops the week of January 11, 2010, to assist interested parties in applying for the 2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  The department expects to award up to $17 million in projects to enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops this year.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is an important tool to assist California specialty crop growers,” said Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “These application workshops will provide important information to organizations and entities interested in applying for grant funding.”

Workshops will be held in the following locations:

January 11, 2010 (Monday) – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
California Department of Food and Agriculture – Main Auditorium
1220 ‘N’ Street – Main Auditorium
Sacramento, CA 95814

January 12, 2010 (Tuesday) – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Fresno County Farm Bureau
1274 West Hedges Avenue
Fresno, CA 93720

January 14, 2010 (Thursday) – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Laurel Inn
801 West Laurel Drive
Salinas, CA 93906

January 14, 2010 (Thursday) – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Hilton Ontario Airport
700 North Haven Avenue
Ontario, CA 91764

In addition to the workshop locations, CDFA’s Federal Funds Management Office will be hosting an online webinar, covering the same information, on Monday, January 11, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Webinar information will provided upon registration.

There is no cost to attend a workshop or webinar, but space is limited at each location. Individuals planning to attend should send an e-mail to grants@cdfa.ca.gov with their contact information, number of seats required and the location you will be attending.

The 2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (farm bill). The purpose of the program is to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. 

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