The idaho state 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 Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded $1.926 million to the Idaho Department of Agriculture on September 30, 2025, under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through research, education, outreach, marketing, pest and disease control, and food safety initiatives across Idaho.

The award funds 13 sub-awarded projects spanning beans, wine grapes, hops, potatoes, onions, apples, garlic, and mustard. Research and development work includes sampling and asymptomatic detection for bacterial wilt in beans (Bean Commission, Idaho); food safety examination of Salmonella and E. coli behavior in damaged and diseased onion bulbs (Oregon State University); sustainable and effective management methods for powdery scab and potato mop-top virus (University of Idaho); development of novel fungicides for sustainable potato production (University of Idaho); optimized nutrient and water use efficiency for Idaho culinary mustard varieties (Idaho Oilseed Commission); and introduction and propagation of new garlic varieties into Idaho's Allium quarantine area (Sundries Farm). Education and outreach projects include Idaho hops promotion through trade shows, reverse missions, and social media (Idaho Hop Grower's Commission); and Idaho wine marketing and agritourism expansion in the Sunnyslope American Viticultural Area (Sunnyslope Wine Trail, Inc.). Marketing initiatives support Idaho wine industry advancement (Idaho Grape Growers & Wine Producers Commission) and export enhancement of Idaho potato products to Latin America (Idaho Potato Commission). Pest and disease control work includes reduction of codling moth populations in the Magic Valley using sterile insect release (Mid Snake Resource Conservation and Development Council).

Performance spans September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028, with all work performed in Idaho.

The idaho state 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. The state's sub-awards include 2 research projects, 4EDUCATION and outreach projects, 2 marketing projects, 4 pest and disease control projects, and 1 food safety project to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including beans, wine grapes, hops, potatoes, onions and apples throughout the state of idaho.