W.Va. taking specialty crop block grants bids

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for its 2014 specialty crop block grant program.

Applicants are invited to submit a proposal for projects that meet the federal criteria for specialty crops. These can include projects such as fruits, vegetables, horticultural crops, honey, nuts, Christmas trees and maple syrup.

Funding is expected to be about $180,000 this year, contingent on the availability of U.S. Farm Bill funding.

Applications are due by March 14.

Since 2009, the program has awarded more than 100 projects and more than $1.1 million into development of the West Virginia specialty crop industry.

___

Online:

https://www.wvagriculture.org