WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today revealed a financial investment of almost $121 million to advance research study and Extension activities that intend to resolve essential obstacles dealing with specialized crop and natural farming manufacturers. The financial investment consists of $70.4 million to support specialized crop production research study throughout the United States and $50.5 million to support farmers and ranchers who grow and market premium natural food, fiber and natural items.
Specialized crops are specified in the Farm Bill as vegetables and fruits, tree nuts, dried fruits, and cultivation and nursery crops, consisting of floriculture. This financial investment becomes part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
“We understand specialized and natural crops include nutrition to our diet plans and worth to sustainable farming systems,” stated Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “These crops likewise play an important function maintaining cultural heritage and boosting financial chances throughout regional, local and worldwide food systems, making them terrific competitive financing financial investments that target a few of the most challenging obstacles dealing with specialized crop and natural manufacturers across the country.”
NIFA’s specialized crops production financial investment today develops on USDA’s just recently revealed $82.3 million in grant financing through the Agricultural Marketing Service to boost the competitiveness of specialized crops and support the market’s manufacturers. The financing was granted through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant (SCMP) Program. From market advancement to customer education to research study, these programs broaden markets and increase competitiveness of the specialized crop market and boost access to specialized crops for customers.
Examples of the 17 tasks moneyed by NIFA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative consist of:
- North Carolina State University: Manual labor expenses are substantial in gardening, consisting of nursery crop production. A group of scientists will establish sustainable services for labor, effectiveness, automation and production in the nursery market. ($9.8 million)
- Washington State University: Apple and pear crops are significantly prone to destructive losses due to extr