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ISDA grant awards $400,000 for specialty crops

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has awarded more than $400,000 to grow Indiana’s specialty crop sector. The grant, funded through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program, will help grow fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and more.

Indiana Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Agriculture Suzanne Crouch says the Hoosier state has a diverse specialty crop industry that families rely on and the grants will help the sector grow.

According to the ISDA, the grants will enhance the market for specialty crops, raise awareness of specialty crops in Indiana by investing in research, and increase consumption.

Indiana University’s School of Public Health was awarded $70,000 to work with Indiana Christmas tree Growers Association to increase the sales of Christmas trees. Purdue University’s College of Agriculture was awarded $55,199 to evaluate best practices for growing media made from composted organic waste; $132, 610 for raising consumer awareness of specialty crops in Indiana; $50,000 for developing research for hydroponic lettuce production; $55,535 for partnering with the Indiana Hop Growers Association and other hop growers to grow the industry; and $35,000 to develop research and train people on vertical farming.