W.Va. specialty crop grants available

Applications available in West Virginia for 2013 specialty crop block grants

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Officials say that funding for 2013 is expected to be about $180,000.

Applicants must submit a two-page proposal by March 15 for review. Selected projects will then be required to submit a formal grant proposal.

Since 2007, the department has awarded more than $1.5 million dollars into development of the West Virginia specialty crop industry.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is available to groups and organizations involved in the production, processing and/or marketing of fruits and vegetables.