DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Feb. 21 announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting grant applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program.  The grants are available to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Iowa.

The Department is tentatively scheduled to receive approximately $271,000 in grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program which is run by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.  This funding is contingent upon the federal funds being made available to the Department.

Iowa agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry, and community based organizations are all eligible to apply for funding.  In addition, single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.