The michigan department of agriculture and rural development will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development $2,256,268.19 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) on September 30, 2025, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops throughout Michigan via research, marketing, education, and outreach activities addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

The recipient will distribute sub-awards across 22 projects: 16 research initiatives, 1 education and outreach project, and 3 marketing projects, with 2 projects spanning multiple focus areas. Research projects include evaluating integrated pest management tools for Spotted-Wing Drosophila control in blueberries; advancing Anthracnose management in blueberries; evaluating sustainable management systems for vineyard and orchard establishment; promoting climate-resilient asparagus production; developing post-harvest testing methods for certified seed potatoes; managing Armillaria and Phythophthora root rot in Christmas trees; controlling leaf spot in onions; managing herbicide-resistant weeds and bolting in celery; understanding nitrogen dynamics in potatoes; managing Downy Mildew in hopyards; controlling root-knot nematodes in vegetable systems; optimizing sensory quality in controlled environment strawberry production; and improving sustainable dry bean production.

Marketing projects include enhancing the digital presence of the Michigan and U.S. cherry industry (Cherry Marketing Institute, Inc.); enhancing social marketing to build brand loyalty for Michigan apples (Michigan Apple Committee); and the "Taste Best of Michigan" pilot program to educate wine wholesalers and retailers (Michigan Wine Collaborative). An education and outreach project expands specialty crop training in west Michigan (New City Neighbors), while a second project supports specialty crop growers with food safety certification and workforce development (Area Community Services Employment & Training Council). Additional research deliverables include creating a mobile app for Enviroweather and evaluating alternative pesticides and weed control strategies for nursery production (Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association).

Period of performance runs through September 29, 2028. Place of performance is Michigan.

The michigan department of agriculture and rural development 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 16 research projects, 1 education and outreach project, 3 marketing projects and 2 projects that cross more than one focus area to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including grapes, strawberries, potatoes, onions, christmas trees, cherries, and various other specialty crops throughout the state of michigan.