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 $496,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Alabama. With this grant, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) 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, Alabama 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, the ADAI will fund 12 projects. Among ADAI’s projects, is funding to Auburn University to evaluate the use of drone imaging to automate disease and pest scouting for container nursery and vegetable production. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as evaluating new strawberry cultivars, sustainable use of mulching systems, and increasing consumer awareness of Alabama specialty crops.
“The specialty crop industry in Alabama continues to grow as the demand for locally grown food increases. These grants provide funding on research to enhance the quality and quantity of specialty crops and to develop new marketing opportunities,” said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. “The department looks forward to implementing this program, which not only benefits specialty crop producers but consumers as well.”
The funding to Alabama 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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