Date: Wednesday, August 23, 2023
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WASHINGTON, August 23, 2023—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $320,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Vermont. With this grant, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) will fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop products and create new market opportunities for the state’s specialty crop producers.
“With this year’s Specialty Crop Block Grant funding, Vermont is investing in innovative projects that will help address the needs of specialty crop producers within the region,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The funded projects will also further USDA’s efforts to ensure U.S. specialty crop products remain competitive in markets across the nation and abroad.”
Through the SCBGP, VAAFM will fund seven projects. Among the Vermont Agency of Agriculture's projects is a collaboration between the Orange Southwest Supervisory District, the University of Vermont, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife to utilize drones for pest control on fruit, maple, and Christmas tree operations. The project will train students to use drones to identify pests and apply targeted control measures, leading to decreased pesticide use and higher treatment efficacy. This will be one of the first large scale plans to deploy drones for specialty crops in in Vermont. Additional funded projects focus on biodynamic viticulture, food distribution, educational podcasts, allium pest management, honey DNA testing, and specialty crops in restaurants.
“Research is important for the future of Vermont agriculture. This funding will help grow the ag economy and make it more affordable for our farmers and producers,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture. “Innovation and creativity are part of agriculture and Vermont is grateful for this funding. These investments will be meaningful to those working with specialty crops.”
The funding to Vermont is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2023 SCBGP funding awarded to 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The SCBGP funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets, ensuring an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops, which are vital to the health and well-being of all Americans.
The funding for the SCBGP grants is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and FY2023 funding is awarded for a three-year period beginning Sept. 30, 2023. Since 2006, USDA has invested over $1 billion through the SCBGP to fund nearly 12,000 projects that have increased the long-term successes of producers and enhanced marketing opportunities for U.S. specialty crops products.
More information about these awards is available on this webpage: 2023 SCBGP Awarded Grants (pdf).
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