The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded Chatham University a cooperative agreement totaling $596,622.64 on March 1, 2026, under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing and promotion efforts, producer research and development assistance, and expanded availability of specialty crop products.
The award runs through February 28, 2029, with place of performance in Pennsylvania. Chatham University, a private non-profit educational institution based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serves as the recipient and will conduct the work directly without identified sub-recipients in the source material.
The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets and local and regional food business enterprises to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Awards under the program are structured for 2 or 3 years in length, with grant recipients eligible to request a one-year extension to complete project objectives and goals.