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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: December 4, 2006
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FARM VIABILITY GRANT FUNDS TO ENHANCE AND PROMOTE RHODE ISLAND SPECIALTY CROPS

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that $70,000 in farm viability grant funds is available through DEM for grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and most nursery crops.

Grant awards will generally range from about $3,000 to $15,000, with no matching funds required. Funding will be provided in two stages, with 50 percent of the monies given up front, and the remainder provided at the satisfactory completion of the project. The grants may be used for projects of up to two years in duration. Rhode Island residents and agricultural organizations and associations are eligible to apply for funding.

The grants may be used for research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health, product development, education, "buy local" initiatives, and for programs that provide for increased consumption and innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, and development of cooperatives. The grants may not be used for construction purposes.

For an application or grant related questions, please contact Stephen Volpe, Deputy Chief at 222-2781, ext. 4501. Downloadable applications are also available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov by clicking on "Farm Viability Grants" under "Timely Topics" on the homepage. Applications, accompanied by a W9 form, must be postmarked by January 31, 2007 and sent to DEM's Division of Agriculture, Room 370, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908. They will be reviewed by the DEM Agricultural Advisory Committee, which will make funding recommendations to the department.

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