WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in the vitality of the specialty crop industry. In its most recent move, the Agricultural Marketing Service announced it has awarded a total of $72.9 million in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding. The awards were given to the departments of agriculture in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

“USDA is excited to fund innovative research and new market opportunities to further support specialty crop producers,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program continues to strengthen the food system, and USDA looks forward to seeing the impact these funds will have on the specialty crops sector.”

The SCBGP funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops, a press release noted. It will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets, ensuring an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops.

The grants will be used to enhance food safety, invest in specialty crop research—including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes—develop new and improved seed varieties, and improve strategies for pest and disease control. Some projects will also focus on increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops and improving efficiency and reducing costs of produce distribution systems.

This funding is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and awarded for a three-year period beginning September 30, 2022. Since 2006, USDA has invested more than $953 million through the SCBGP to fund 11,331 projects, the press release concluded.

Cheers to the vitality of the specialty crop industry!

United States Department of Agriculture