USDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Awarded to North Carolina

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 $1.2 million in Fiscal Year 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to North Carolina. With this grant, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) 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, North Carolina 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, NCDA&CS will fund 10 projects. Among the department’s projects, is funding to the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association to host workshops and webinars to support underserved producers as they overcome challenges transitioning to selling to wholesale and institutional buyers. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as disease management, outreach and education for wine growers, and the development of disease resistance Fraser fir Christmas trees.

“Specialty crops offer tremendous opportunities for North Carolina farmers and the over $1.2 million in USDA specialty crop grant funding will focus on disease and pest management practices for tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, grapes, Fraser firs, microgreens, sod and truffles,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Funding will also support education and outreach efforts for several crops and work with historically underserved specialty crop growers on market development.”

The funding to North Carolina 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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