March 30, 2009
FDACS Funds Projects To Enhance Florida Specialty Crop Competitiveness
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced the awarding of nearly $850,000 in federal funds for 2008 Specialty Crop Block Grant projects.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture (including floriculture and turfgrass sod). Funding is provided to state departments of agriculture from the 2008 Farm Bill through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Each state receives a base grant and a proportionate funding based on the state’s cash receipts for production of specialty crops. Florida ranks second in the nation in specialty crop production.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) received $477,169 in Specialty Crop 2008 Farm Bill funds and $372,568 for the 2008 Specialty Crop Block Grant. Total funding received in 2008 was $849,738.
USDA parameters for eligible projects include programs to address food safety, food security, nutrition, trade enhancement, education, research, promotion, marketing, plant health programs, "buy local" programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives.
The following projects have received funding:
Florida A&M University Center for Viticulture -- $102,500
This project establishes the Florida Vine Improvement and Distribution Project. The project will cultivate and provide disease-free planting materials to Florida nurseries and grape growers throughout Florida. Plants will include muscadine grapes and Florida hybrid bunch grapes. A foundation certified nursery will be established at the FAMU Center for Viticulture. This nursery will be responsible for producing and ensuring a continuous supply of quality, true-to-type plant materials. The program will establish a pool of expertise in grape vine production by sharing new information and knowledge of vegetative principles, propagation, phytosanitary standards and disease management to nurseries and grape growers. FAMU will provide training to nurseries and growers throughout the state to help increase grape acreage and wine production in Florida.
Florida Blueberry Growers Association -- $160,000
Phase I of the project provides for research to determine if blueberry plants of various cultivars propagated in sterile cultures will have fewer problems and be more resistant to disease such as stem blight. Blueberry stem blight (Botryosphaeria) is a serious threat to Florida’s blueberry industry and causes substantial yield loss and plant death. Phase II of the Project provides additional research funds to identify a type of blueberry which can withstand mechanical harvesting. Mechanical harvest has the ability to significantly increase production efficiency and enhance the competitiveness of Florida blueberries in both national and international markets. As of 2007, the value of Florida’s blueberry industry represents an estimated $39 million and represents 7.8 million pounds of blueberries produced annually.
Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG) -- $66,000
FOG will conduct research to aid in the promotion and marketing of organic and transitional Florida specialty crops. FOG will work to identify and remove roadblocks for new and existing Florida organic producers. There is an increased interest in organic fruit and vegetable production, but a lack of information and resources for both organic and transitional farms. USDA National Organic program requires a three-year transition period before the harvest of an organic crop can be completed. FOG will provide education and outreach to promote the purchase and increased consumption of transitional specialty crops as well as certified organic. There are more than 100 certified organic growers in Florida and approximately 14,000 acres currently managed in compliance with USDA National Organic Standards. FOG will also seek to engage Florida-based and national retailers to promote and purchase both Florida organic and transitional specialty crops.
Florida Sweet Corn Exchange -- $100,318
The Florida Sweet Corn Exchange will conduct a statewide promotional campaign to focus on Florida producers and reinforce the message for Floridians to buy Florida corn. The program focuses on actual producers and conveys messages from Florida farmers to connect consumers with actual producers. The promotion will feature in store displays and messages throughout the state. Corn purchased in state from Florida growers strengthens Florida farms, reduces transportation costs and narrows retails margins. The estimated 2007 cash receipts for farms producing Florida sweet corn totaled $113 million, representing approximately 29,500 harvested acres.
Florida Tomato Committee -- $227,135
The Tomato Committee focused on a media consumer education program to counter balance the negative impact of last year’s salmonella scare. The consumer outreach campaign covered 14 major markets for Florida tomatoes. The message is to educate consumers that fresh Florida round tomatoes are safe and healthy. The outreach is essential for Florida tomatoes to return to normal levels of purchase and consumption. Florida’s annual tomato crop is valued at $500 million to $700 million and supplies 90 percent of the nation’s domestically grown tomatoes during the winter months.
Florida Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida, Inc. -- $68,784
Funds will be used to conduct a marketing initiative to promote Florida tropical fruit to retail markets and the general public. The campaign will include in-store demonstrations to educate the public and heighten awareness and consumption of tropical fruit. This will be a one-year promotion. Fruits will be showcased in stores during their peak production period. The promotional campaign will inform consumers about the availability of Florida tropical fruits, provide opportunities to taste locally grown product, increase the availability to purchase tropical fruit in retail markets and establish connections with growers for direct sales. The campaign will also promote products made with Florida tropical fruit.
Florida Watermelon Association -- $50,000
Florida Watermelon Association will conduct a one-year promotional campaign to educate consumers on the nutritional value of Florida watermelon and to teach consumers how to select watermelon. The activities will focus on providing the general public with information on the health benefits of including watermelon in the diet and highlight the economic benefits of supporting Florida watermelon producers. The Association will host watermelon promotion events at Florida Welcome Centers, retail venues, schools and at special events throughout the state. Watermelon crops in Florida generate an estimated $152 million in revenues each year. The activities will include retail promotions, in-store demonstrations and special appearances at local events to promote watermelon.
Produce for Better Health Foundation -- $25,000
The project will disseminate information about fruits and vegetables grown in Florida to consumers nationwide via newspaper and television ads. This nutritional promotion campaign is part of the national media outreach for "Fruits and Veggies, More Matters." This is a one-year project. The initiative is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and promote Florida fruits and vegetables. PBH has worked to increase fruit and vegetable consumption since 1991 with the "5 A Day" effort, which has since evolved into the "Fruits and Veggies, More Matters" campaign. PBH has previously worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to implement programs and conduct research to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in Florida schools.
Small Farm Outreach and Conference Partnership -- $50,000
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has partnered with Florida A&M University’s College of Agriculture and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Science (IFAS) to conduct outreach to small farms. FDACS has provided $25,000 for training sessions to assist small farms. The outreach partnership will conduct a series of televised (Polycom) workshops which will focus on increasing small farm participation and product at community farmers’ markets statewide. Information will also include: proper food handling techniques, food safety regulations, identifying sales venues and product marketing. FDACS will also provide $25,000 to help sponsor the first Florida Small Farm Conference to be held at Osceola County’s Heritage Park in Kissimmee on August 1 and 2, 2009. The increased interest among consumers for more local products has resulted in more outreach and interest in small farms. The conference will provide small farms with resource information to start up, improve or expand their operation. Sessions will include Business/Marketing for Small Farms, Small Ruminants/Livestock, Alternative Energy, Organic Production, Specialty Crops, Horticulture. There will also be exhibitors.
The USDA Census of Agriculture shows that 90 percent of Florida’s farms are family operations, while about 10 percent are corporate entities. About 32,000 Florida farms, or approximately 70 percent, have 50 acres or less. The report also reflects that changing face of agriculture in Florida, with increases in the number of farms owned by a variety of ethnic groups including Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics and African Americans. Ethnic ownership of farms increased by 26 percent, from 2,038 farms in 2002 to 2,582 farms in 2007. According to the USDA Census, the number of Florida farms increased by 7.7 percent, from 44,081 in 2002 to 47,463 in 2007. Additionally, the market value of agricultural products sold by Florida farmers hit $7.8 billion in 2007, the highest recorded level in the state’s history.
