MSU programs receive $83K in grants

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced today grants are headed to three Missouri State University programs.

The state department selected 12 projects to receive the funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is designed to strengthen production of state-grown crops and produce, according to a news release.

In total, MSU is receiving $83,038.

The largest amount is $49,988 for a program at the Darr School of Agriculture studying the genetics of the Norton grape, according to the release.

The study seeks to determine whether the grape can be improved in terms of its hybrid population and breeding.

The Darr School of Agriculture Center for Grapevine Biotechnology was selected for a $19,550 grant to study new grape varieties resulting from the crossing of the Norton and cabernet varieties, according to the release.

The MSU Fruit Experiment Station will receive a $13,500 grant to continue its research on growing raspberries during all seasons.

Today’s announcement included over $398,000 in federal funding to agriculture programs statewide, according to the release.