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…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the South Carolina Department of Agriculture $648,630.90 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) on September 30, 2025, to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing, promotion, research and development, and targeted outreach activities.

The award funds 10 research projects and 6 education and outreach projects across specialty crops including peaches, watermelon, cherries, leafy greens, plants, strawberries, and various fruits and vegetables throughout South Carolina. Clemson University's Division of Research is the primary sub-recipient, delivering research on improved sanitation practices for leafy greens packinghouse microbial biofilm control, harvest maturity indices for leafy greens quality and shelf-life enhancement, management practices for watermelon Fusarium wilt resistance using Carolina Strongback rootstock grafting, and solutions to reduce mechanical transmission of peach latent mosaic viroid in peach orchards. The College of Charleston's Office of Research and Grants Administration conducts research on anaerobic soil disinfestation using cottonseed meal for weed and soilborne pathogen management in strawberry production. An additional sub-award funds in-person and online educational outreach for South Carolina's small fruit industry.

The period of performance runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. Work is performed in South Carolina.

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. The state's sub-awards include 10 research projects and 6 education and outreach projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including peaches, watermelon, cherries, leafy greens, plants, strawberries, and various fruits and vegetables throughout the state of south carolina.