Friday, Dec. 9, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces More Than $430,000 in Agriculture Grants for Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt announced that Missouri has received more than $430,000 in agriculture grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the North Central Risk Management Education Center.
"When the Department of Agriculture and other agencies commit to pursuing outside grants there are real benefits for our state," Blunt said. "Grants help offset costs to Missouri taxpayers, allow for new and innovative projects, and open the door for opportunities that might not have otherwise been available."
The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) received $80,000 from USDA’s Federal, State and Marketing Improvement Program to create a virtual brokerage system for native Missouri plants and seeds to address current market inefficiencies, improve plant quality and increase sales as well as fund the study addressing distribution and transportation barriers for small processed food companies by researching the regional distribution systems in the state.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded $67,000 to MDA to support an active Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Surveillance Program and other associated activities at live bird markets and backyard flocks and work with commercial table-egg producers, meat-type chicken and turkey producers and processors to enhance avian influenza surveillance and control in Missouri. In addition, these funds will aid in the identification, control and elimination of avian influenza in commercial poultry.
MDA received $41,988 from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to develop the draft curriculum and pilot test delivery methods for the Quality Improvement for Youth Producers. These funds will support an educational workshop for commercial producers and employees regarding the new egg safety rule, work with small meat and egg producers on quality assurance education and program development, as well as food safety education for young consumers.
The North Central Risk Management Education Center awarded $39,983 to MDA to increase contact between organic marketing producers, sellers and buyers through an online Organic Buyers Guide maintained by MDA.
USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation Quality Samples Program awarded MDA with $84,500 to increase the familiarity of the United States adzuki bean with food processors in Singapore and Taiwan.
The Missouri Agricultural Mediation Program, a program within MDA, received $122,712 to assist agricultural producers, lenders and other persons directly affected by the actions of USDA resolve disputes. The Missouri Department of Agriculture has received Federal funding for this program for the past three years.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture continues to promote the growth of Missouri’s agricultural industry by setting agriculture policy and provide assistance to farmers throughout the state. For more information, visit the departments Web site at www.mda.mo.gov or contact Misti Preston at the Department of Agriculture at (573) 751-8596.
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