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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $557,000 in funding awarded to Virginia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will fund projects that strengthen Virginia’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Virginia 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, VDACS will fund eight projects. Among VDACS’s projects, is funding for the Farm2Food Accelerator program helps specialty crops producers reduce food waste, improve economic resilience, enhance food safety, and increase market access. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as developing new production strategies, pest management, and increasing market access.
“These Specialty Crop Block Grants are an investment into Virginia agriculture, the state’s largest private industry. The grants will fund projects that will provide a long-lasting impact for a variety of agricultural interest, improve food safety, and support economic development in our rural economies by helping growers add value to their crops and enhance marketing opportunities across Virginia,” said Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Joseph Guthrie.
The funding to Virginia 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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