Good Fruit Grower magazine has been awarded $186,950 from the 2017 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

The grant will be used to develop Spanish language content for the magazine and its web site. The content will focus on technical and horticultural information for farmworkers, and include videos along with text and photos.

The Block Grant program awarded 19 other grants as well.

The projects will managed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture in partnership with other organizations. Washington ranks second behind California in production of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops and floriculture.

The awards range from $75,000 to $250,000 and will go to commodity commissions, agricultural associations, nonprofit organizations, Washington State University and WSDA. WSU received seven of the grants, while six went to commodity commissions. 

Among the notable grants are:

• $250,000 The Center for Produce Safety for development of rechargeable antimicrobial antifouling plastics for bins and totes.

• $249,973: Washington State University for studying the concentration and blending of manure.

• $225,000: Washington Wine Industry Foundation for online tools for large and small grape growers.

• $230,155: WSU for studying pre- and postharvest parameters to enhance gray mold management in pome fruit.

• $200,000: Grow Food dba Viva Farms for improving incubator models for beginning specialty crop producer success.

• $177,808: WSU for evaluation of cost effective technologies for cider apple orchard mechanization and fruit quality.

• $176,000: Washington State Fruit Commission (Good Fruit Grower) for development of Spanish language safety and horticulture information for workers in the the tree fruit industry. Note: This amount was increased by amendment to $186,950.

• $165,134: Washington State Wine Commission for development of a Washington wine education program for international trade audience.

• $75,000: Washington Apple Commission for Apple Industry Videos.

Complete details are available on the WSDA website.

 

Note: This post has been undated to reflect a grant amendment that increased the grant to Good Fruit Grower.