4-12-2004 |
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AGRICULTURE CHIEF URGES CONGRESS TO FUND SPECIALTY CROPS PROGRAM Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is urging Congress to fund the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, currently being considered by the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies. Money from the program has been used in the past to assist industry organizations, independent agribusinesses and farmers' markets throughout West Virginia. “These specialty crops grants are of tremendous benefit to West Virginia agriculture, particularly small businesses that are just starting out and established businesses that are seeking to expand their customer base outside the state,” said Commissioner Douglass. Commissioner Douglass also noted the explosive growth of specialty crop imports from foreign countries. Since 1997, imports increased 39 percent while equivalent U.S. exports increased only 6.5 percent. West Virginia last year received $590,000, much of which helped
the state’s 61 farmers’ markets conduct promotional activities
in their local communities. Three markets used grant money to build Other grant money went to start up community kitchens and bakeries. “These incubator facilities really help to get new businesses off the ground,” said WVDA Marketing Specialist Kellie Boles. “They allow these new companies to test market their products before they sink a lot of capital into a commercial kitchen of their own.” Congress first approved a $159.4 million specialty crop block grant program in 2001 as a result of poor market conditions experienced by producers due to disease, low prices and a lack of research funding. Legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, “The Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2003” (H.R. 3242), would authorize $470 million for the block grant program. The bill also provides for programs on marketing, research, international trade, pest and disease exclusion and conservation.
Contact: Buddy Davidson The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
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