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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $598,000 in funding awarded to New Mexico through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture will fund projects that strengthen New Mexico’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with New Mexico 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 New Mexico Department of Agriculture will fund seven projects. Among the department’s projects is funding to New Mexico State University to introduce climate resilient methods for producing chickpea varieties in the water deficit conditions of New Mexico. Additional funded projects focus on areas such as automated testing for aflatoxins, increasing awareness of New Mexico green chiles, and research on the medicinal components of jujube.
“New Mexico’s continued ability to support a growing number of specialty producers across the state rests on the pillars of this program,” said New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte. “The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is proud to partner with USDA to give New Mexicans access to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, as leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops helps drive the future of New Mexico agriculture. We look forward to seeing another year of advancements in existing crop-related research, jumpstarting brand-new research and easing local, regional and national challenges for both first-time and established producers exploring new avenues in the specialty crop sector, all thanks to the strength and versatility of this program.”
The funding to New Mexico 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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