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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $301,000 in funding awarded to West Virginia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture will fund projects that strengthen West Virginia’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with West 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, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture will fund eight projects. Among department’s projects, is funding to the West Virginia Farmers Market Association to improve agricultural literacy, boost fruit and vegetable consumption, and strengthen the connection between local farmers and consumers through educational summer library programs and a seed library. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as pest management and evaluation of new varieties.
“Specialty Crop Block Grants continue to drive innovation and growth within our agricultural industry. These crops are important to West Virginia’s agricultural landscape, and we eagerly anticipate another round of funding to continue to push this industry forward,” said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.
The funding to West 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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