The South Dakota Department of Agriculture seeks applications for its Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
Kimberly Sturm with the SDDA says the funds come from the federal agriculture department. She says specialty crops range from honey to tree nuts and include several types of fruits and vegetables.
Sturm says more than $340,000 is available for this year’s funding cycle. She says the funds are connected to the number of acres allocated for specialty crops in South Dakota.
Sturm says the program's priorities include increasing sales of specialty crops and educating South Dakotans of all ages about the products.
She says efforts in sustainability are another point of emphasis.
"We're looking for projects that have different cultivars, like drought-tolerant plants, [and] organic and enhanced nutritional components. [We're] also [interested in] adoption of the best practices in technologies resulting in increased yields, reduced inputs, increased efficiency. And, then also conserving our resources," Strum says.
Strum says applications are due by May 1st. She says forms and a complete list of specialty crops is on the State Department of Agriculture's website.