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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded a $603,483.98 Specialty Crop Block Grant to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). This grant, under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170), will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in South Carolina through a variety of activities and projects. Key focus areas include leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops, assisting producers with research and development, expanding availability and access to specialty crops, and addressing local, regional, and national challenges facing specialty crop producers.

The grant funding will support several sub-projects, including developing an AI-powered agricultural database to predict and maximize specialty crop yields, researching reduced-risk fungicide mixtures for strawberry disease management, exploring bacterial canker resistance in peach, and enhancing access to locally grown specialty cut flowers. Additionally, sub-awards were provided to Clemson University, South Carolina State University, and Advent Innovations LTD Co. to conduct specialized research and develop innovative solutions to address regional specialty crop challenges.

The south carolina 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