US: Idaho specialty crop projects receive $892,000 in funding

(CapitalPress) - Projects by the state's potato, apple, bean, wine grape and nursery crop industries were selected to receive a total of $892,675 in grants this year from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

The ISDA awarded the grants to 10 projects that will benefit the state's specialty crop industries. The grants are awarded annually by the ISDA with money provided through the USDA's specialty crop block grant program.

The ISDA has invested almost $4.5 million in 58 specialty crop projects since 2009, and those projects leverage another $3 million in matching funds, said ISDA Director Celia Gould.

Many of the projects started in 2009 and 2010 are already benefiting specialty crop industries, she added.

"This is a great opportunity to put federal grant dollars to work in Idaho to enhance the competitiveness of our specialty crop industry," she said.

The Sunnyslope Wine Trail Group will receive a $30,000 grant this year to conduct an advertising campaign to increase the number of visitors and sales for wineries located in the Sunnyslope community near Caldwell.

The area is in the heart of Idaho wine country and the money will be used to help increase awareness about the area in Idaho's Treasure Valley and in Utah.

"We're really excited about getting seed money for this effort," said Bitner Vineyards owner Ron Bitner, who is leading the effort. "This is going to help us a lot."

The Idaho Wine Commission received a $40,000 grant to increase exposure of the Idaho wine industry. The money will also be used to raise awareness of the state's wine industry among local Idahoans and to increase the exposure of Idaho wines to markets outside the state.