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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $545,000 in funding awarded to Oklahoma through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) will fund projects that strengthen Oklahoma’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Oklahoma 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 ODAFF will fund six projects. Among ODAFF’s projects is funding to Oklahoma State University to improve the capacity for Oklahoma tomato production by developing a planting date model and evaluating nutritional capacity of heat tolerant cultivars. Additional funded projects focus on areas such as identification of plant pathogens, analyzing market demands for Oklahoma grown native pecans, and evaluation of nutritional potency in specialty crops.
“Oklahoma producers grow several specialty crops including pecans, watermelons, and Christmas Trees. The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program provides a valuable tool for our state’s producers as they work to enhance the specialty crop industry in Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.
The funding to Oklahoma 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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