Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2019

  1. University of Missouri - Assist producers with produce safety workshops, on-farm technical assistance, microbial water testing and certification cost-share to obtain GAPs certification. This will enable more Missouri grown produce to be sold through markets that require GAP certification. - $49,482
  2. University of Missouri – Assess the demand for Missouri specialty crops by measuring how specialty crop food/product demand varies throughout Missouri and share that information with Missouri producers to make well-informed marketing decisions. The project will collect 1,100 survey responses from Missouri consumers in 11 regions and offer several outreach meetings disseminating results to producers. - $25,088
  3. University of Missouri - Investigate the role of grape endophytic microbes in grape berry growth, including berry size and cluster compactness to understand the dynamics in berry physiology and production. - $38,010
  4. University of Missouri - Research the impact of Dicamba on three specialty crops (potato, watermelon and tomato) grown adjacent to Dicamba-tolerant crops to determine the optimal buffer distance for sensitive crops. - $49,853
  5. University of Missouri - Optimize processing options for common apple cultivars currently planted and evaluate new cultivars classically used for cider production. Results will be disseminated through cider school, grower meetings, demonstrations, and on-line publications. - $33,410
  6. Webb City Farmers Market - Test the efficacy of essential oils in repelling and killing of aphids, spider mites and thrips in high tunnels on three farms. - $30,569
  7. University of Missouri - Identify health benefits and explore the novel uses of the pawpaw in cosmetic, personal care products, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. - $46,689
  8. Columbia Farmers Market - Establish a specialty crop cooking demonstration program and develop relationships with mid-Missouri chefs to increase purchasing and consumption of specialty crops. - $28,775
  9. Cultivate Kansas City - Develop a pilot training program assisting specialty crop farmers to adapt to current and projected changes in weather and pest pressures to their farming operations. Assist farmers with risk assessment and management plans. Explore transformative approaches and develop farm resilience options to ensure productive and viable farming systems. - $38,200
  10. University of Missouri - Research plant viruses with major threats to grape and wine production such as Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) and Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV). - $32,683
  11. Missouri State University - Research genetic resistance into grape cultivars by developing genetic mapping to prevent fungal diseases in the production of Vignoles. - $49,900