Specialty Crops. CFAP 2 payments are available for eligible producers of specialty crop commodities categorized as either sales commodities or flat-rate crops. (referred to as "multi-state partners") with Wisconsin’s Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Growing Specialty Crops in Northern Wisconsin Field days will be held May 24-25, 2017 in the Bayfield area. “Wisconsin grows more apples than a lot of people give it credit for,” Teach asserts. D. Eligible Specialty Crops Specialty crops are defined in law as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.” The USDA maintains a more comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops on its website that … Tony Evers says 3.25 million dollars from the CARES Act will help offset some of the losses experienced by the industry earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic. MADISON – Specialty crops can be looked at as a kind of glue helping hold rural Wisconsin together—with $5.8 billion in economic activity and 25,000 jobs. Teach says Wisconsin’s cool fall weather is the key to developing “nice red colors” on the apples. As third-generation owners of the orchard, the Teach family oversees the planting, growing, picking, processing and selling of approximately 125,000 bushels of apples annually. from Contact for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Wisconsin Grows Great Variety of Specialty Crops. To advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities through research and education To help independent agriculture producers enter into value added activities. Agency Directory State Ag Secretary Designee Randy Romanski says, “COVID-19 caused some disruptions to the ethanol supply […] With approximately 15 million acres dedicated to farming, the state produces a wide variety of specialty crops alongside its dairy products, including cranberries, honey, apples, strawberries and a host of other valuable agricultural commodities. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. that address regional or national level specialty crop issues, including food Specialty crops is the term the USDA uses to describe “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” The economic importance of specialty crops has grown—fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts now account for almost one-third of farm cash receipts from crops. safety, plant pests and Find information on exactly where our food comes from, along with delicious recipes, helpful tips and reliable data. Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds are to be used to benefit the entire specialty crop industry as a whole and not provide direct profit to a specific organization, institution or individual. up to three years. May 05, 2014 According to the UW-Madison Extension website, www.vegetables.wisc.edu , these statistics account for 3% of Wisconsin’s overall economy and 1% of jobs statewide, including both direct and induced impacts. and nursery crops (including floriculture). We can provide assistance or connect you with resources that address: Search Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The current annual farm gate value of specialty crops grown in Minnesota is approximately $269 million, which ranks 13th of all U.S. states. However, Wisconsin’s rolling hills and lush fields abound with more than dairy farms. However, Wisconsin’s rolling hills and lush fields abound with more than dairy farms. Competitive grants will be awarded for projects between $10,000 and $150,000. The goal of the Specialty Crop program at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is to help specialty crop producers overcome obstacles, make their operation more profitable, and help them grow. Sunrise Orchards produces more than 30 varieties of apples, including Sunrise, Honeycrisp, McIntosh and Empire. Specialty crop producer associations and groups, “There’s a 10-to-1 ratio: for every 1 acre of cranberries, there’s 10 acres of support land. Support lands can be great habitats [for wildlife], and include wetlands, or managed forest lands. Sheila Harsdorf Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Secretary Trade and Consumer Protection . New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm in Baraboo opened my eyes, and my nose, to the wonder of lavender. “We grow apples in a really unique spot in southern Wisconsin,” Teach explains. projects addressing common issues; and A few resources are for dairy an livestock farmers, but most materials focus on non-specialty crops such as corn, soybeans and oats with a Wisconsin focus, including eligible silage crops. The raw fruit and vegetable products generated by Wisconsin’s specialty crop industry are worth about $700 million each year. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection . Some specialty crops in Wisconsin have gone in different directions when it comes to production over the last year. Required fields are marked *. the purpose of the that enhance the competitiveness of specialty “The additional land is support land,” Hansen explains. Poor prices are influencing what’s happening with Wisconsin’s cranberry industry this year – but it was acreage and overall production that was the story in 2017. 2020 WI Specialty Crop Block Grant Application Cover Sheet & Application Form. nonprofits, and other stakeholder organizations are all eligible to apply. Production issues 2. Home Organic Specialty Crops From contract growers, to large-scale vegetable operations, to small-scale CSAs — we have the right products and programs to fit your operation’s needs. Profitability 3. Financing or financial management 4. Projects must address research, food safety, crop-specific issues, pest and disease, education, marketing and promotion for the specialty crop industry. Ripening dates for the apples vary from late August to mid-October. EVENTS. The following information was provided in a press release from the agency: The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for the 2020 Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program. USDA Awards Specialty Crop Grants to Wisconsin Groups Wisconsin Ag Connection - 10/07/2014 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the state of Wisconsin $1.4 million to fund 24 projects through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. With approximately 15 million acres dedicated to farming, the state produces a wide variety of specialty crops alongside its dairy products, including cranberries, honey, apples, strawberries and a host of other valuable agricultural commodities. Like apples, cranberries require cooler nights so that colors and sugars can form in the fruit. Wisconsin Specialty Crop Block Grant program funds will be distributed to the specialty crop industry through a competitive review process. With a systems approach, this team evaluates and optimizes the productivity and management of pests, diseases, and weeds in vegetable crops, namely, potato, carrot, snap … Organic Certification 5. $250,000 to $1 million per project and projects In mid-July, I was able to visit the farm for a tour and … “I hope it never gets overlooked.”. Wisconsin’s Governor is directing federal coronavirus relief dollars to the state’s nine ethanol producers. We can provide assistance or connect you with resources that address: 1. marketing and promotion. In 2012, the state of Wisconsin produced 4.83 million barrels of cranberries, or 60 percent of the United States’ total cranberry crop. Note: The application period for the Specialty Crop Multi-State program is closed. We do this through field days, educational materials, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance. project, and the multi-state partners must be states to qualify for the Wisconsin’s total floriculture, nursery and specialty crops generated $231 million in sales in 2019, up slightly from 2014. CFAP 2 payments are available for eligible producers of specialty crop commodities categorized as either sales commodities or flat-rate crops. Online Services, Note: The grant application period is closed.​. Cover Crops; Crop Production; Soil & Water; Tillage; Vegetable Production; Soil Fertility Topics. Disclaimer: Note that the USDA makes final determination on CFAP rules. “It’s really steep and hilly. SCBG-FB grant funds will be awarded for projects up to 2 years, located in two different July 24, 2020 | Julia Nunes, 73rd Alice in Dairyland. collaborative, multi-state projects Specialty crops are defined as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” “We have 25 mint growers and supply a lot of mint to the gum industry. DATCP seeks applicants that will enhance the competitiveness of Wisconsin's specialty crop industries in domestic and foreign markets. Specialty crops eligible for CFAP 2 exclude crops with an intended use of grazing, green manure, or left standing. As older farmers retire, fewer young farmers are stepping in to take their place. It depends on the type of cranberry grower.”. disease, research; crop-specific “It’s a great industry, and there are a lot of very proactive people that are actively engaged every minute of the day,” Hansen says. Specialty Crops Block Grant Program . With the help of several family members, Teach and his wife, Lynne, own and operate Sunrise Orchards, a 225-acre apple-growing operation located in Gays Mills, Wisconsin, also known as the “official” apple capital of the state. To enhance the competiveness of Wisconsin Specialty Crops. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alternative Crops Crop Type = All Crop Types State = All States 1868 records returned Click on a crop below to learn about its culture and marketing in the state shown. Grant awards range In anticipation of receiving Specialty Crop Block Grant Funds from the USDA, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WI DATCP) is announcing a competitive solicitation process to award USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG) funds for projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of Wisconsin’s specialty crop industries. Other unexpected crops include mint and ginseng. It runs down our hills into the valley, so we can be quite a bit warmer here than it is in the valley below.”. Grants Available to Enhance Wisconsin’s Specialty Crops Release Date: January 19, 2012 Contact: Ashley Huibregtse, 608-224-5002 Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is now accepting applications for 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. program. crops by funding Specialty crops are a priority at RMA, and federal crop insurance coverage for specialty crops has grown steadily over the past 15 years. Grant proposals must be emailed to MDARD at [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. on February 27, 2020. “The fault lines dividing our rural and urban communities are running deep, and climate change is now threatening our nation’s food supply. Wisconsin Lavender is a Specialty Crop Indeed. Marketing 6. Eligible Applicants SUCCESS STORIES The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers: Keeping the Dream of Farming Alive. Hardworking farmers operate 64,800 farms in Wisconsin covering 14.3 million acres of land. Specialty crops eligible for CFAP 2 exclude crops with an intended use of grazing, green manure, or left standing. © 2020 Journal Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Report Date: November 28, 2018 . “It’s a way of life and a business.”, Your email address will not be published. substantive involvement in the A more comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops is at: US Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Program. Specifically: Farm Flavor profiles America's hardworking farmers and ranchers who produce our food, fuel and fiber, connecting consumers to the country's vital agriculture industry. Growers interested in learning about specialty crop growing techniques in northern Wisconsin are invited to attend two Specialty Crop Field Days hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. As of January 1, 2020, there were 7.26 million Christmas trees on Wisconsin horticulture operations to be cut and sold in future years. He also attributes Sunrise Orchards’ success to its location on the steep hills near Gays Mills, which often allows the orchard to escape damage from frosts. As the nation’s top cheese producer, Wisconsin excels at producing more than 600 varieties of cheese and dairy products. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including flowers. In fact, Wisconsin leads the nation in the production of cranberries, oats and snap beans for processing, and ranks in the top ten for crops you may not expect such as potatoes, cherries, maple syrup, carrots, sweet corn and green peas for processing, onions, cabbage for sauerkraut and cucumbers for pickles. Home > Wisconsin > Wisconsin Crops & Livestock > Wisconsin Grows Great Variety of Specialty Crops. Madison, WI 53718 . MADISON – Wisconsin’s specialty crop industry and the state agriculture department will share in nearly $750,000 awarded to the state to make specialty crops more competitive, agriculture officials announced today. The goal of the Specialty Crop program at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is to help specialty crop producers overcome obstacles, make their operation more profitable, and help them grow. Specialty Crop Multi-State Program is to competitively award funds Eligible projects must “solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops” and expand local, regional, domestic or international markets and distribution. Owned by Bill Hatch, Cranberry Creek Cranberries consists of 4,000 acres, with approximately 850 acres devoted to growing perennial cranberry vines. Alternative Crops: About Alternative Crops General Alternative Crop Links. of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Univ. All SCMP proposals Specialty crops are defined in law as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. We grow 95 percent of the ginseng and supply it to the Asian marketplace,” says Ben Brancel, Wisconsin’s Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, pointing to the importance of these crops both domestically and globally. ​​​Wisconsin non-profit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities and other agricultural groups are encouraged to apply for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. Distributio… Our fruit and vegetable experts can work with your staff to recommend products to fit your existing program, or prepare a comprehensive whole-farm fertility plan. Nicole Hansen, operations/plant health manager of Cranberry Creek Cranberries in Necedah, Wisconsin, attributes the success of the state’s cranberry industry to the weather. The 181 operations in Wisconsin sold 785 thousand Christmas trees in 2019. While individual cranberry growers don’t typically share their yields, cranberry crops are measured in 100-lb barrels. The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops. As it gets colder on a frosty night, the air gets denser. “We don’t have an extremely large apple industry, like Washington or New York, but it’s a diverse apple business within the state.”. She also praises Wisconsin cranberry growers for their ability to culturally manage their plants in unique ways. The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center maintains the Specialty Crops Web site and publishes Great Places to Find Information about Farming Alternatives, ... Univ. We do this through field days, educational materials, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance. Phone: (608) 224-5015 . may last for Specialty crops are defined in law as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Crops that contribute to the majority of this income include potato (fresh and processed), processing sweet corn, and processing peas. to projects Although Wisconsin is well known for its dairy output, the state also produces a wide variety of specialty crops, including cranberries, apples, strawberries and a host of other valuable agricultural commodities. “Wisconsin cranberry growers are a close-knit group of people that are willing to work together.”. These farms produce some of the state’s top commodities, which include milk, corn, cattle and calves, soybeans, potatoes, cranberries, and more. Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic; Extension Programs & Events. Wisconsin’s specialty crop production and processing account for more than $6 billion in economic activity. Specifically: of Minnesota Extension Service, and the Center for … Weather and location also play a key component in the production of Wisconsin’s number one berry crop, the cranberry. Specialty “[Cranberry] growers are very in tune to what’s happening in Wisconsin, as far as managing yields, reducing costs, being stewards of the land, and sustainability,” Hansen says. more events . In 2019, the amount of insurance for specialty crops … Your email address will not be published. tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, must include at least two partners Activities can be for planning grants or working capital. The University of Wisconsin Commercial Vegetable Program is led by the UW-Fresh Market Commercial Vegetable Team. crops include fruits and vegetables, state government agencies, Tribal government entities, universities, 2811 Agriculture Drive . Area Soil, Water & Nutrient Management Meetings; On-Farm Demos; New Horizons in Soil Science; Training for Nutrient Management Planners; Management Topics. “Agriculture is a very diverse and important part of the Wisconsin economy,” says Allen Teach, president and owner of Sunrise Orchards. 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