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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024—The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced over $1.4 million in funding awarded to Minnesota through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will fund projects that strengthen Minnesota’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Minnesota on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the region’s specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success.”
Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will fund 11 projects. Among the department’s projects is funding to increase the amount of specialty crops served in schools by training producers how to sell to school markets, hosting cooking classes for foodservice professionals on preparing specialty crops and providing farm to school tours for food service directors. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as disease detection, development of new plant varieties, and marketing.
“By investing in these projects focused on Minnesota-grown specialty crops, we are building knowledge and infrastructure that benefits our producers and increases their ability to compete in local, regional, and international markets,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “The MDA thanks USDA for this funding, which helps ensure that fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops grown by Minnesota’s farmers continue to reach and be enjoyed by consumers around the world.”
The funding to Minnesota is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2024 funding awarded to 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production, expand markets, and ensure an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops is available to all Americans.
View more information on the 2024 SCBGP Awarded Grants (pdf).
AMS administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country and globally. AMS services and its significant grant investments create opportunities by supporting American farmers, ranchers and businesses across the supply chain, and drive economic development in small towns and rural communities.
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