Senator announces more than $1 million for Michigan fruit and vegetable growers

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, on Thursday announced that Michigan will receive $1,228,934 in federal funding to support Michigan specialty crop growers who produce fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, hops, nursery plants, and flowers. The federal funding flows from resources provided by Congress to help in pandemic recovery and rebuilding.

“Michigan leads the nation in the production of many fruits and vegetables and is one of the top states in the country for agricultural diversity. Our fruits, vegetables and nursery crops are not only a source of great pride – they are critical to our state’s economy.” said Stabenow. “This additional support is a big win for Michigan agriculture, as our producers continue to recover from COVID-19 pandemic challenges. This support will help our farmers keep their competitive edge and continue to provide healthy fruits and vegetables to American families.”

The 12 Michigan projects announced Thursday are made possible by the funds Senator Stabenow secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. These projects are administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These funds are in addition to annual funding provided to the Specialty Crop Block Grant program through the Farm Bill. The funds will help growers sell more products, protect crops from pests and diseases, and market products to boost competitiveness.

The 12 grant projects include:

• Area Community Services Employment and Training—Supporting Specialty Crop Growers in Promoting Leadership and Food Safety Certifications While Upskilling Their Workforce, $123,540

• Cherry Marketing Institute—Support Michigan Tart Cherry Industry by Increasing Demand for Superfruit Among Food and Beverage Developers, $125,000

• Eastern Market Corporation DBA Eastern Market Partnership—Next Generation Eastern Market Wholesale Distribution & Processing Center, $68,500

• Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo—Sustaining the Diversity of Specialty Crops in Michigan Through the Great Lakes Expo, $83,200

• Great Lakes Hops—Great Lakes Hops Collaborative Grow Group Initiative, $85,800

• Michigan Apple Committee—Social Media Marketing to Raise Brand Awareness of Michigan Apples, $125,000

• Michigan Apple Committee—Trade Advertising and Retail Outreach for Marketing Michigan Apples, $75,000

• Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board—Michigan Asparagus for the Digital World, $125,000

• Michigan Cider Association—Developing Cider Making Expertise for the Michigan Apple Industry, $125,000

• Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association—Top Ten MI Nursery Weeds: Optimum Controls in MI New Crops, $100,000

• Michigan Potato Industry Commission—Building relationships and communicating Michigan Potatoes as a key healthy, available, and affordable ingredient, $125,000

• Revolution Farms—Educating Families About Hydroponic Farming by Getting Kids Excited to Eat More Greens, $67,894