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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $ $485,000 in funding awarded to Puerto Rico through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Innovation Fund for Agricultural Development (FIDA) of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) will fund projects that strengthen Puerto Rico’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Puerto Rico 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 FIDA-PRDA will fund four projects. Among the projects, is funding to promote food safety, provide farmer training programs, create direct marketing opportunities, and increase knowledge and consumption of specialty crops through youth education.
“We are grateful and optimistic that with the grant of SCBGP Puerto Rico will continue to enhance the production of specialty crops products. These funds will continue to promote our farmers goals and the development of a more sustainable agriculture for our island,” said Ramón González Beiró, Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture.
The funding to Puerto Rico 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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