The pennsylvania 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded a $1,010,120.93 Specialty Crop Block Grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on September 30, 2024. This grant, under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170), will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Pennsylvania through a variety of activities, including:

• 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
• Addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers

The grant will fund projects executed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and its sub-awardees, including Leaf Project Inc., The Rodale Institute, Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Inc., and Pa Co-Operative Potato Growers. These sub-awards, ranging from $57,000 to $325,000, will support activities such as farmer training, agricultural research, and community-based initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Pennsylvania.

The pennsylvania 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 the state or territory. Performance evidence in the form of measurable outcomes is required.