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Courtney Announces Specialty Crop Funding for Connecticut Farmers
[April 25, 2014]

Courtney Announces Specialty Crop Funding for Connecticut Farmers


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) NORWICH, Conn., April 24 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn. (2nd CD), has issued the following news release: Today Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, announced more than $395,000 for Connecticut farmers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Administered by USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service, the program enhances markets and production for specialty crops. Previously, Connecticut has utilized these funds for a range of projects from increasing traffic at Connecticut orchards to Connecticut-Grown brand research and shared-use processing facilities and equipment.



"These funds will help eastern Connecticut's specialty farmers make the most of their crops. From market research to promote locally-grown produce to providing necessary equipment to get crops to market, Specialty Crop Block Grant funds strengthen our local agricultural economy and help Connecticut families find healthy, local foods. I was proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the Agriculture Committee during the 2014 Farm Bill process ensuring robust funding for this important program." "Specialty crop block grants help sustain the livelihoods of American farmers while strengthening the rural economy" said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

"These grants contribute to food safety improvements, increased access to healthy food, and new research to help growers increase profitability and sustainability." Previous examples of Connecticut programs funded through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program are available here. http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/marketing_files/2014/project_awards_06_to_13.pdf TNS 30TacordaCheng-140425-4714300 30TacordaCheng (c) 2014 Targeted News Service

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