The connecticut department of agriculture will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and…

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture will receive $397,377.31 through September 2024 under a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The funding will support efforts to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Connecticut through activities such as marketing and promotion, research and development relevant to specialty crops, and addressing challenges facing specialty crop producers. Outcomes will be measured and reported to the funding agency.

As the designated state department overseeing the grant, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture will work with specialty crop producers and other recipients on projects and initiatives that leverage efforts to expand availability and access to specialty crops in Connecticut. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.

The connecticut department of agriculture will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers through a variety of activities/projects with their grant recipients. Beneficiaries include the residents of all 50 states, 5 territories, and the district of columbia. Performance evidence in the form of measurable outcomes is required.