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Vilsack announces specialty crop grants

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced in Miami nearly $118 million in grants to strengthen markets for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops.

Vilsack noted today that specialty crops are one of the growth sectors in American agriculture and added that the campaign against obesity is “encouraging balanced meals” with half the plate in fruits and vegetables.

Specialty crop farming, which is usually on small acreage, offers opportunities to beginning farmers, minorities and female farmers, he added.

The specialty crop block grant program, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), will provide $66 million to state departments of agriculture for projects that help support specialty crop growers, including locally grown fruits and vegetables, through research and programs to increase demand.

In addition, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding $51.8 million in grants through its specialty crop research initiative, which develops and disseminates science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories were awarded specialty crop block grants that will fund 838 projects.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will receive $4.5 million to fund 34 projects. One project allows the FDACS to partner with Miami-Dade County to increase the market viability of local specialty crops. The project also educates the public about consumption of specialty crops to improve nutrition and publicizes the availability of specialty crops at local markets.

“These specialty crop block grants support hundreds of projects that address issues ranging from food safety to research needs to increased access to fruits and vegetables, all benefiting specialty crop producers and consumers across the country,” said AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo.

“With additional funding from the 2014 farm bill, we are able to do even more to help specialty crop growers increase profitability and sustainability,” Alonzo said.

The grants will fund a variety of efforts, including research to improve crop characteristics, identifying and addressing threats from pests and diseases, improving production and profitability, developing new production innovations and technologies, and developing methods to respond to food safety hazards.

The programs were authorized under the 2014 farm bill, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., noted today,

“One of my top priorities was making sure the 2014 farm bill had major support for the fruits, vegetables and nursery crops grown in Michigan and other parts of the country, which gives families better access to local food options and supports our economy,” Stabenow said.

“Today’s announcement is great news for farmers who will have additional tools and resources to help promote and sell their products to consumers, protect their crops from pests and disease, and develop better production practices.”

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service — Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Fiscal Year 2014 Awards
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture — Specialty Crop Research Initiative Fact Sheet and Grant Awards