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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced over $1 million in funding awarded to Pennsylvania through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will fund projects that strengthen Pennsylvania’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will fund 10 projects. Among the department’s projects is funding to support a diversified vegetable pre-apprentice program for young specialty crop growers. Additional funded projects focus on areas such as identifying drought tolerant varieties, early-stage disease detection, and weed management.
“Pennsylvania specialty crops are second to none for providing vital nutrition our families need,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “These grants help Pennsylvania growers stay at the top of their field, meeting consumer demand for their products, and ahead of ever-increasing disease, pest, and climate threats. The Shapiro Administration is working in partnership with the Biden Administration to keep Pennsylvania farms feeding the world now and in the future.”
The funding to Pennsylvania 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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