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Specialty crop funding priorities could be more regional

Changes within the Senate farm bill could move the authority of specialty crop funding away from states.

Michigan Department of Agriculture director Gordon Wenk tells Brownfield specialty crop block grant funding could be allocated on a regional basis rather than through states if language in the Senate’s farm bill is maintained during the conference period.  “There are two versions as we understand it.  The House version keeps the program operating the way it has been in the past.  The Senate version is making some changes and looking at more of a regional perspective on how priorities get set.”

He says if priorities are shifted away from states it could be less meaningful for farmers.  “You lose that focus on what are the critical issues for people within that particular state.”

Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office tells Brownfield the Senate Farm Bill does not take away authority from states administering state or local projects with specialty crop block grants. They say the Senate bill gives states additional flexibility to consider a variety of national, regional, or local needs when developing their annual state plans. If a grant recipient is interested in developing a multi-state project, they can apply for a multi-state grant administered by the Agriculture Marketing Service, but only $5 million a year of the $85 million is available for multi-state projects.

Both farm bills maintain funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grants at $85 million a year.

AUDIO: Interview with Director Gordon Wenk during  Michigan State University’s Ag Innovation Day.