Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2020

  1. University of Missouri - Alternative Host Plants of GRBV in Missouri Vineyards - Survey host plants of E. carinata and E. binotata found within or on the periphery of vineyards infected with Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV). Characterize acquisition and transmission of GRBV by E. carinata. Create management plans for either the insect vectors, the control of host plant reservoirs of GRBV or a combination approach. - $16,538.00
  2. University of Missouri - Identifying Herbicide Tolerance in Tomatoes and Assessing Fruit Safety - Enhance the profitability of fresh market production of tomatoes by identifying high-yielding varieties with reduced sensitivity to herbicide drift. The safety of marketable tomatoes will be assessed by determining if herbicide residues are present in the harvested fruit. - $39,388.00
  3. Missouri Vegetable Growers Association - Expanding Watermelon Production and Market in Missouri - Coordinate research for on-farm trials and feasibility of growing watermelons under protected systems (low and high tunnels) to reach the 4th of July market. - $44,740.00
  4. Missouri State University - Evaluation of Southern Highbush Blueberry Varieties - Adaptability to Southwest Missouri Evaluate the potential of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium Darrowi x V. virgatum) varieties as viable crop in southwest Missouri growing conditions. - $16,380.00
  5. Osage Farmers Alliance - Raising the Profile and Sales of Specialty Crops in the West Central Region - Enhance the wholesale market for locally grown specialty crops in west central Missouri and encourage other specialty crop farmers to expand their growing operations by entering the wholesale market. - $49,339.00
  6. Missouri State University - Evaluation of Satellite Mushroom Prefabricated Pod Production - Evaluation of satellite mushroom prefabricated pod production and alternative methods to determine best practices and economic feasibilities of the different production practices. - $25,862.00
  7. University of Missouri - High Tunnel Production of Physalis to Expand Missouri’s Vegetable Market - Compare cultivars of Physalis (husk tomatoes) in high tunnels and in the field. Fertility treatments of potassium will also be compared to determine Physalis yield and quality response. - $22,173.00
  8. University of Missouri - Growing the Lavender Industry in Missouri - Determine a set of standardized growing practices for lavender in Missouri. Growing practices will include plant establishment and soil preparation, winter protection, cultivar selection, plant phenology, insect and disease issues, optimal flower and oil production parameters, and fertilization. - $39,274.00
  9. Cultivate Kansas City - Improving Urban Soils through Sweet Potato Production - Develop and research a technique to grow sweet potatoes to improve the profitability and productivity of urban and peri-urban farms. This method should quickly improve soil organic matter, increase nutrient cycling, increase water infiltration, promote beneficial organisms, and decrease costly inputs. - $15,082.60
  10. Lincoln University - Pest Management to Enhance the Profitability of Missouri Elderberry - Provide IPM tools for eriophyid mites, Phyllocoptes wisconsinensis and Epitrimerus trilobus in elderberry production. Research will be conducted to identify native predaceous mites and determine their effectiveness. Evaluation of the compatibility of predaceous mites with commonly used miticides in selected elderberry farms and nurseries. - $23,924.00
  11. University of Missouri - Feasibility of Producing Sweet Potato Transplants and Field Production in Missouri - Assess and implement on-farm sweet potato slip production under protected systems (low and high tunnels). Determine the economic feasibility for early field planting, length of the production season, yields and reduced costs from these slips. - $47,928.00
  12. Webb City Farmers Market - Learning to Love and Grow Specialty Crops at the Market - Creating an on-site market garden to provide new opportunities to educate adults and children about specialty crops at the market. Demonstrations will be offered for growing methods such as raised beds, sequential planting, cover cropping and examples of various mulches. Formal and informal learning opportunities will be based, in part, on the USDA’s SNAP-Ed Connection Nutrition Education Curricula and Materials covering cooking, farmers markets, food safety, gardening, and healthy eating. - $38,296.64
  13. Missouri Department of Agriculture - A Marketing Campaign Celebrating Missouri’s Specialty Crop Growers - Statewide advertising campaign to promote the Missouri Grown specialty crop industry for berries, peaches, apples, pumpkins and Christmas trees. - $12,535.12