2007 Specialty Crop Grants
Kansas State University
Research and Extension in Support of Kansas Sweetpotato Industry
This project will strengthen opportunities for sweetpotato production and marketing in Kansas. Efforts will focus on a) building a seed program which will ensure adequate availability of foundation seed of preferred cultivars along with knowledge of appropriate techniques to enable growers to reliably produce their own planting material to ensure timely availability of affordable seed; and b) development of extension publications outlining production guidelines and budgets for organic and conventional sweetpotatoes. Outcomes will include timely availability of planting material and information, supporting expanding Kansas sweetpotato production to serve local, regional and national markets.
Grant awarded: $20,000
Kansas State University
Extension Demonstration in Support of Scaling Up Mechanization for Kansas Vegetable Production
This project will help to strengthen market farming efforts in Kansas through demonstration of labor saving implements that have been shown to significantly increase efficiency of vegetable production efforts elsewhere. These include a spader for deep tillage while maintaining soil structure, a sod-burying tiller with bed-shaper and plasitc mulch layer for one-pass soil preparation; and a flex-tine harrow for weed control. These tools will be demonstrated in open-field and high tunnel production trials at the K-State Horticulture Research Center, and will be made available on loan to producers wishing to test them on their farms. Outcomes will include increased awareness and possible adoption by Kansas producers of improved implements and practices.
Grant awarded: $17,600
Kansas State University
Student Farm Teaches Sustainable Farming and Business Skills
The development of a student farm at K-State will allow for better training of K-State graduates in fruit and vegetable production and marketing. As markets grow for local food, more supply will be needed. Currently Kansas produces between 5 and 10% of their produce needs. Few K-State Horticulture majors are choosing the production option. A student-farm experience will allow more hands-on teaching, and offer them a better experience.
Grant awarded: $19,993
Douglas County Extension - Lawrence Area Horticulture Producers Association
LAHPA Direct Market Farm Guide & Web Page
Increase consumer demand for specialty crops raised by regional farmers by increasing customer awareness of these locally available products through a web page.
Grant awarded: $5,500
Kansas Rural Center
Promotion of Specialty Crops at Kansas Farmers Markets
Farmers markets will develop business plans and plans to promote their markets and specialty crops. Fifteen markets will receive specialty crop funds for promotion of the farmers markets and specialty crops.
Grant awarded: $20,000
Kansas Rural Center
Expanding the Buy Fresh/ Buy Local Program to Kansas
The project will establish a Buy Fresh/ Buy Local Chapter in Kansas to serve the marketing needs of small-scale direct marketing farmers and producers of all locally produced foods. Buy Fresh/ Buy Local is an extremely attractive promotional package of graphics and materials which has demonstrably assisted other states in growing this agricultural sector. The project will work with 30 farmers markets and 5 farm stands over two years. Use of the promotional packages are expected to grow throughout the state during that time. It will increase customer traffic at markets and farm stands by 10%.
Grant awarded: $15,692
Kansas Rural Center
Farm to Institutional Cafeteria Pilot Program
The project will impact 6 institutional meal programs serving at least 600 nutritionally at-risk clients, primarily school children and the elderly, by assisting at least 12 farmes to provide locally grown food into those meal programs, utilizing the Kaw River Valley Foods website, which has been built to facilitate commercial transactions between local growers and institutions. This is a Pilot program which will beta test the website as a part of a broader Kaw River Valley Foods Project which is a joint effort of the Kansas Rural Center and Kansas State University.
Grant awarded: $10,306