USDA allocates $86.6 million to U.S. specialty crop projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $86.6 million in 609 projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of specialty crops, the agency announced Oct. 13. Funding will be distributed through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program across 56 states and territories, with state agencies issuing subawards for initiatives serving producers of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticultural products and nursery crops.

The grants can support food-safety improvements, research, development of crop and seed varieties, pest and disease management, consumer education and efforts to reduce the cost of bringing specialty crops to market. The Agricultural Marketing Service administers the program.

Among the allocations highlighted by USDA, Florida will direct more than $4.3 million to research, education, outreach and marketing involving mangoes, blueberries, sweet corn and muscadine grapes. Michigan will receive more than $2.64 million for projects involving crops including apples, asparagus, beans, blueberries, herbs, mushrooms and grapes. Texas plans to use more than $2 million for projects involving grapes, watermelons, pecans, onions and spinach, while Georgia will support research, education and marketing for crops including pecans, blueberries, peppers, strawberries, peaches, apples, Vidalia onions and citrus.

USDA said the full list of funded projects is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program webpage.