The LSU AgCenter has received two specialty crop block grants worth $310,500 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of Louisiana-grown nursery crops and sweet potatoes.
A two-year grant of $77,500 went to David Picha, professor in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, to enhance the marketability of Louisiana sweet potatoes by identifying and promoting the nutritional composition of different sweet potato products.
The second grant of $233,000 for three years went to Regina Bracy, resident coordinator of the Hammond Research Station, and will help fund a project to promote Louisiana-grown plants for Louisiana landscapes.
The project will identify superior landscape plants that perform well in all areas of the state. These plants will be grown by Louisiana nursery growers and marketed through retail establishments in the state and be called Louisiana Super Plants.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry coordinates the projects, which are funded through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Rick Bogren
(This article was published in the spring 2010 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.) |