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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $422,000 in funding awarded to Mississippi through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will fund projects that strengthen Mississippi’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Mississippi 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, MDAC will fund nine projects. Among MDAC’s projects is funding to Mississippi State University to conduct field trials to identify novel melon varieties that grow well in Mississippi. Additional funded projects focus on areas such as pest management, herbicide use, and honeybee health.
“Mississippi has a diverse specialty crop industry, which accounts for more than $200 million of the state’s agriculture production annually,” said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program allows us to further enhance the industry by funding projects that benefit growers of crops such as sweet potatoes, which Mississippi serves as a leader in production nationally, while also focusing on smaller niche crops, which can open up new market opportunities for our farmers.”
The funding to Mississippi 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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