Business digest - Feb. 7

Funding grant programs open

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is inviting New Mexicans involved in agricultural production to apply for one of two funding grant programs.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of New Mexico-grown specialty crops.

“Chile, onions, pecans, honey, greenhouse/nursery crops, lavender – they’re all examples of specialty crops, which means research, education, or marketing and promotion projects built around them could be considered for this federal funding,” said Felicia Frost, NMDA marketing specialist.  

The definition and eligibility of specialty crops can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov, under the services and grant and opportunities section.

The deadline to apply for funding through the Specialty Crops program is 5 p.m. April 10. Funding is expected to become available on Oct. 1. Project length for this program varies from one to three years.

NMDA staff are hosting two free workshops for potential applicants:

• 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 in Santa Fe, location TBD.

• 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the NMDA (Main Conference Room), 3190 S. Espina St. in Las Cruces

For more information, call 575-646-4929 or visit http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu.

Business Digest is compiled by The Eastern New Mexico News staff. Contact Kevin Wilson at 575-763-6991, or by e-mail:

[email protected]