The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced over $331,000 in funding awarded to Kansas through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Kansas Department of Agriculture will fund projects that strengthen Kansas’ specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with Kansas 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 Kansas Department of Agriculture will fund seven projects. Among the department’s projects, is funding to the Kansas Foundation of Agriculture to increase child nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops by providing early childcare facilities with a curriculum about Kansas specialty crops and reimbursements for purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as sustainable plant protection strategies, education programs, and marketing.
“These grant awards will help provide resources that will promote the importance of specialty crops in Kansas while supporting specialty crop growers,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “Those specialty crop operations add value to communities across Kansas, not just economically but also by expanding access to local food.”
The funding to Kansas 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.
Source : usda.gov