The US VI 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 Executive Office of the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands (operating as the Department of Agriculture) $246,902.05 under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) on September 30, 2025.

The award funds one research project and one education and outreach project to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops—cucumber, tomatoes, and inkberry—across the territory. Work is performed throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands with administrative oversight at the Department headquarters in Kingshill, St. Croix. The period of performance runs through September 29, 2028.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, a Farm Bill program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, supports state and territorial agricultural agencies in enhancing specialty crop competitiveness through marketing, promotion, research and development, and expansion of crop availability and access. The program employs a three-step competitive merit review process: initial qualification screening, technical peer review, and administrative review focusing on alignment with statutory purpose and budget allowability. Awards are structured for three calendar years. Recipients must conduct audits and retain financial records for three years after final Federal Financial Report submission.

The US VI 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 territory's sub-awards include 1 research project and 1 education and outreach project to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including cucumber, tomatoes, and inkberry throughout usvi.