WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding millions of dollars of support for research and promotion of specialty crops in Michigan.
Michigan State University says U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Tuesday that the school's researchers are getting $7.7 million from a pool of $51 million under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
Specialty crops consist of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops.
Also Thursday, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow said the federal agency is giving $2 million to 30 Michigan projects that support specialty crops.
Stabenow chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee and says the grants come from a new provision of the federal farm bill.
Among the grant recipients are the Cherry Marketing Institute, Michigan Apple Committee and Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.