For Immediate Release
(202) 224-5653

KOHL ANNOUNCES $745,360 GRANT FOR SPECIALTY CROP PROGRAM IN WISCONSIN

10/15/09

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl announced that the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will receive a grant through the US Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program totaling $745,360 to promote and assist specialty food markets. Kohl is Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and voted in favor of the Farm Bill which gave the USDA authority to enact and expand programs such as the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  

"Some of the most innovative and successful agriculture to watch is specialty and niche products," Kohl said. "Farmers are struggling every day to stay competitive in the market, and these funds will encourage the work that our specialty crop farmers are doing to promote their products."  

This funding will work as a part of the USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative. The goal of the initiative is to increase competition of specialty crops, which the USDA defines as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. According to the USDA, projects were selected that support local and rural agriculture interests, increase the competitiveness of small producers, and promote or create direct marketing opportunities for specialty crop producers.  

Kohl is the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations panel, which recently passed the FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. In the Appropriations bill Senator Kohl worked to help farmers by including $4.8 billion in farm ownership and farm operating loans through the Farm Service Agency and including $350 million in additional assistance for dairy farmers.   

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