The kentucky 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 Kentucky Department of Agriculture will receive $255,673.30 through September 2024 under a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The grant funds will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Kentucky through marketing and promotion efforts, research and development relevant to specialty crops, and addressing challenges facing specialty crop producers. Activities will include leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assisting producers with R&D, and expanding availability and access to specialty crops. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will oversee grant recipients conducting various projects and activities to benefit specialty crop producers in Kentucky and consumers nationwide. Performance outcomes will be required under the grant funding, which is part of the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aimed at enhancing specialty crops under the Farm Bill.

The kentucky 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.