CDFA to offer workshops about specialty crop grants

Workshops and webinars designed to help specialty crop growers and sellers compete for grants to support market access and sales will be held throughout the state in coming weeks. The California Department of Food and Agriculture will conduct the workshops and online webinars to help prospective applicants qualify for the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

CDFA awarded $18.7 million in 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

The grants are offered through a competitive solicitation process.

State officials encouraged all prospective applicants to participate in a workshop or webinar.

Two-hour workshops will be held in the following locations on this schedule:

• Nov. 5, Salinas, Ag Center Conference Room, 1432 Abbott St., 9:30 a.m.
• Nov. 6, Westlake Village, Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, 600 Hampshire Road, Suite 200, 9:30 a.m.
• Nov. 7, El Centro, Imperial County Farm Bureau, 1000 Broadway, 9:30 a.m.
• Nov. 8, Fresno, City Hall, Room 2165, 2600 Fresno St., 9:30 a.m.
• Nov. 8, Tulare, Tulare Masonic Lodge, 135 W. Tulare Ave., 1:30 p.m.
• Nov.14, Lakeport, Lake County Board of Supervisors chambers, 255 North Forbes St., 9:30 a.m.
• Nov. 15, Davis, USDA Farm Service Agency, 430 G St., Room 215, 1:30 p.m.

The webinars, each of which lasts two hours, will be held:

• Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
• Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
• Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Webinar information will be provided upon registration.

Individuals planning to attend a workshop or participate in a webinar should contact CDFA via email to grants@cdfa.ca.gov, providing contact information and indicating which workshop and the number of seats required. There is no cost to attend workshops or webinars, but CDFA said space is limited at each workshop location.

The agency said funding for the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program remains contingent upon passage of a new federal farm bill by Congress and the availability of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Currently, without a farm bill in place, the USDA can no longer provide new commitments for programs for which the department's funding or authority has expired—and the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is one of those programs.

Information about the block grant program and examples of previously funded projects may be found at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants.