ASU Gets Crop Grant

ASU was one of the grant recipients. Nearly $1.2 million in grant funding will be awarded to nine statewide organizations through the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced.  The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. It is managed by the department and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2014 farm bill. “We’re so pleased to be able to award this funding to nonprofits, universities and government agencies,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  Selected programs range from developing a craft cider industry using N.C. apples to improving black-truffle production and enhancing promotion of turfgrass sod.  There were 9 grant recipients including Appalachian State University. For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and to see a list of funded projects, go to www.NCSpecialtyCropGrant.org.