USDA Announces Funding Awarded to Montana to Support Specialty Crop Growers
CONTACT:
USDA Public Affairs, (202) 720-8998
Logan Kruse, Montana Department of Agriculture, (406) 444-3684
USDA Announces Funding Awarded to Montana to Support Specialty Crop Growers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced over $3.1 million in funding awarded to Montana through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Montana Department of Agriculture will fund projects that strengthen Montana’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Montana 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 Montana Department of Agriculture will fund 16 projects. Among the department’s projects is funding to Montana State University to design and plant a teaching and outreach space at the Bozeman Horticulture Farm that demonstrates fruit crops and cultivars that perform well in Montana. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as disease management, fertilizer research, and marketing.
“Montana’s producers are the backbone of our state,” said Montana Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark. “These grants support outreach efforts and vital research that directly help our farmers and ranchers to diversify, innovate, grow their operations, and drive Montana’s largest industry.”
The funding to Montana 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.
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USDA AMS
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.
Tags: Specialty Crop Block Grant, USDA AMS, SCBG and Director Christy Clark