Bismarck, N.D. (AP) North Dakota's Agriculture Commissioner has distributed nearly $3 million in specialty crop grants for 36 different projects.
The money was given to the state through the 2014 farm bill. The amount increased nearly sevenfold over 2013.
The federal government defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops.
State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says North Dakota is already a leading producer of several specialty crops, such as dry edible beans, dry peas, potatoes and lentils.
The state's Department of Agriculture received 45 applications for the grants. North Dakota State University received most of them.