The washington 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 Washington Department of Agriculture will receive $4.6 million through September 2024 under a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The grant funds will enhance competitiveness and address challenges for specialty crop producers through efforts to market, promote, research and develop specialty crops in Washington state. This includes leveraging collaborations to expand availability and access to specialty crops. As the main grantee, the Washington Department of Agriculture will oversee grant activities carried out by sub-awardee Washington Department of Public Instruction to benefit specialty crop operations and residents of Washington.

The washington 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.