CA Specialty Crop Block Grant Workshops

Dan General, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

SCHEDULE SET FOR 2013 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM WORKSHOPS

Workshops to be held in Monterey, Los Angeles, Imperial, Fresno, Tulare, Lake, & Yolo County

SACRAMENTO, October 11, 2012 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture will be conducting workshops and webinars on the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program competitive solicitation process. All prospective applicants are encouraged to participate. The purpose of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.

Workshops will be held in the following locations:

Monday, November 5, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Ag Center Conference Room, County of Monterey Agricultural Center, 1432 Abbott Street, Salinas, CA 93901

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Suite 202 Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, 600 Hampshire Rd, Ste 200, Westlake Village, CA 91361

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Imperial County Farm Bureau, 1000 Broadway Street, El Centro, CA 92243

Thursday, November 8, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Room 2165, Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Thursday, November 8, 2012 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dining Hall, Tulare Masonic Lodge Association, 135 W Tulare Ave., Tulare, CA 93274

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Board Chambers, Lake County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 94543

Thursday, November 15, 2012 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Room 215, USDA, Farm Service Agency, 430 G Street, Davis, CA 95616

Webinars will be held:

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, November 8, 2012 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Webinar information will provided upon registration.

There is no cost to attend the workshops or webinars. Space is limited at each workshop location. Individuals planning to attend should e-mail grants@cdfa.ca.gov with their contact information, number of seats required and workshop location.

Funding for the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is contingent upon Farm Bill passage 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 – the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is one of these programs.

Please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants to for information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant

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Contact:
Steve Lyle
Director of Public Affairs
California Department of Food and Agriculture
916-654-0462