The virginia department of agriculture and consumer services will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers…

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will receive $550,688.78 through September 2024 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The funding will support efforts to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia through activities such as marketing and promotion, research and development assistance to producers, and programs to expand availability and access. Relevant projects will address local, regional and national challenges impacting specialty crop producers. Performance metrics will track measurable outcomes from the sub-awarded projects. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops under the Farm Bill.

The virginia department of agriculture and consumer services 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.