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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced over $823,000 in funding awarded to Colorado through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Colorado Department of Agriculture will fund projects that strengthen Colorado’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Colorado 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 Colorado Department of Agriculture will fund 15 projects. Among the department’s projects, is funding to make Fort Lewis College’s farmers training courses, presentations, and events accessible to Spanish speaking specialty crop growers through outreach and interpretation services. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as disease and pest management, development of freeze mitigation strategies, and training for specialty crop farmers.
“The partnership with the USDA has allowed CDA to fund creative and innovative projects that are helping build a more resilient, equitable, and vibrant future for Colorado agriculture,” said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “Since 2020, the USDA has supported Colorado’s producers by investing more than $4.4 million into specialty crop cultivation and research. This investment has helped us scale‐up high‐value agriculture, diversify market opportunities for growers, and promote and incentivize soil, water, and climate stewardship.”
The funding to Colorado 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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