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Specialty Crop Block Grant

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) hosted the National Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) Coordinators Conference in Portland, August 23-25, 2016. 

The conference goals were to provide:

  • An environment for increased communication and collaboration
  • Education and traini​ng opportunities
  • Events featuring specialty crop products

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Coordinators, USDA-AMS, NASDA, and Oregon specialty crop stakeholders joined in the 3 day training. The packed agenda included interactive and informative presentations, trainings, and discussions oriented around best management practices, lessons learned, and featured highlights from key Oregon projects and events. Successes shared from SCBGP projects from all over the country aimed to help coordinators be more informed on program requirements. Attendees left prepared to lead stronger, measurable and outcome-based specialty crop projects in all states and territories.

Conference videos and photos

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference A—Program Overview

Welcome and Introduction, Specialty Crop Statistics – A National Look, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Background Overview, Specialty Crop Multi-State Program SCBGP Conference Program Overview video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference B—Get to Know Your USDA, AMS Coordinators, and Points of Contact

Session Moderator – Amanda Culp, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). Panel: John Miklozek, Shawn Adolphus, John Hrivnak, Evan Hughes, Garland Robertson and Janise Zygmont. Get to Know Your Contacts video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference C—NASDA Overview & Update

Amanda Culp, NASDA NASDA Overview & Update video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference D—State by State & Sensory Program

Learning About State Programs, Priorities and Industry Concerns State by State, Session Moderator – Shannon Brubaker, Oregon Department of Agriculture. Sensory Program Interactive Presentation by Cathy Durham on behalf of Ann Colonna, Food Innovation Center, Oregon State University (OSU). State by State & Sensory Program video 1
State by State & Sensory Program video 2

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference E—Monitoring Practices 1

Overview of financial standards. Sharing the value & impact of site visits & audits. Session Moderator – Karen Fedor, Maryland Department of Agriculture. Panel: Representatives from USDA, AMS, Hawaii and Virginia Overview of financial standards video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference F—Monitoring Practices 2

Successful tips for reporting, monitoring and successful expenditure/budget tracking. Session Moderator – Ashley Jeppson, Nevada Department of Agriculture. Panel: Representatives from Georgia, Nebraska and Oregon. Successful Tips for Reporting, Monitoring & Tracking video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference G—Monitoring Practices 3

Working with Sub-Awardees to assess risk, conduct desk and site reviews and develop tools to for successful sub-awardees. Session Moderator – Shannon Brubaker, Oregon Department of Agriculture. State of the States Specialty Crop in Your State! Group Discussion Working with Sub-Awardees video 1
Working with Sub-Awardees video 2

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference H—Open Competitive Process

Reviewing proposal processes, applicant training tools, developing outcome measures and managing a successful state plan application. Session Moderator – Amanda Culp, NASDA Panel: Representatives from California, Maine and New York Varietal Tasting – Culinary Breeding Network. Jim Myers and Lane Selman, OSU and Tim Wastell, Sweedeedee. Open Competitive Process video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference I—Keynote Speaker, Marketing Outcomes

Keynote–When is a marketing and promotion project, really a marketing and promotion project? And how are marketing projects measured? Presenter: Craig Ostbo, Koopman Ostbo Marketing Communications. Keynote–Marketing Outcomes video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference J—Scoring Process

Session Moderator – Karla Valness, Oregon Department of Agriculture. Panel: Representatives from Kansas, Minnesota and Washington. Outreach Programs – General overview of outreach strategies including solicitation processes, recruitment and industry lead initiatives. Session Moderator – Erick Garman, Oregon Department of Agriculture. Panel: Representatives from California, Idaho, Iowa, New Mexico and Washington. (NOTE: video has audio only until 1 hour/15 min. where video begins) Scoring Process video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference K—Go Social! How to Inspire, Engage & Promote Through Social

Go Social! How to Inspire, Engage & Promote Through Social Learn information you need to develop and implement a social media strategy that works. Presenter: Jennifer Revoal, Revolution Design Group. Go Social! video

SCBGP National Coordinators Conference Photos

Photos from some of the sessions, workshops, and events that occurred during the SCBGP Conference. Evening events: Oregon Specialty Crop Dinner and Beverage Presentations—Hosted at OMSI. Crop-Up Dinner Series and Market Showcase—Hosted at Food Innovation Center. Conference photos on Flickr

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​​​​​​ ​​Contact

Gabrielle Ugalde
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Coordinator
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-6473
Alt Phone: 541-913-3440
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