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

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture will receive $309,569.06 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 West Virginia through marketing and promotion efforts, research and development relevant to specialty crops, and initiatives to expand availability and access. The Department will work with grant recipients on a variety of projects and activities to address local, regional and national challenges facing specialty crop producers in the state. 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 west virginia 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.