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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois will get $209,000 more in federal block grant funds next year to improve competitiveness of specialty crops.

The Department of Agriculture will make "mini-grants" to expand markets for fresh produce.

Officials are encouraging specialty crop growers to apply for money by April 30.

A total of more than $640,000 is available.

Projects should aim to increase nutrition knowledge and specialty crop consumption, improve efficiency and reduce costs of distribution, invest in research, enhance food safety, develop new seed varieties and more.

Also eligible are projects that improve access to the crops in underserved areas and advertising expenses to publicize farmers markets.

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On the Net: www.agr.state.il.us 

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