Date: Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Contact Info
Public Affairs
PA@usda.gov
(202) 720-8998
WASHINGTON, August 23, 2023—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $255,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Alaska. With this grant, the Alaska Division of Agriculture 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, Alaska 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 Alaska Division of Agriculture will fund five projects. Among Alaska Division of Agriculture’s projects, is funding to the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District to increase connections, awareness, and understanding between local large-scale buyers and farmers by facilitating gatherings between local chefs and local farmers to showcase various ways to utilize Alaskan grown specialty crops. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as developing methods to increase the yield of specialty mushrooms, youth education programs, and assistance for farmers obtaining food safety certifications.
“The projects awarded under the program will strongly benefit Alaska’s agricultural industry. We’re excited these grants support the development of projects in Alaska focused on specialty crop education, research, economics and connecting farmers to markets,” said Bryan Scoresby, Director of the State of Alaska Division of Agriculture.
The funding to Alaska 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).
###