The primary purpose of this agreement is to enhance the capacity of the US berries industries by providing access to high-quality, healthy planting material

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $390,000 cooperative agreement to the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas on September 1, 2026, to enhance the capacity of U.S. berry industries by providing access to high-quality, healthy planting material.

The Division will test, clean, and maintain propagation material free of all targeted systemic pathogens for blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry crops. Deliverables include cleaning 16–20 new accessions during the award period, maintaining current foundation accessions, and providing variety diagnostic services to the berry industry. The work supports public and private breeders, nurseries, and growers across the sector.

Performance extends through August 31, 2027, with work conducted in Arkansas. This funding aligns with APHIS's broader mission to support specialized diagnostics and clean-plant operations for specialty crops; the Division currently operates the Arkansas Clean Plant Center, which maintains and distributes pathogen-free berry propagation material under prior-year APHIS funding.

Activities will include testing, cleaning and maintaining propagation material that is free of all targeted systemic pathogens for each of the crops, including blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry. Project deliverables will include cleaning 16-20 new accessions during the coming year, maintaining current foundation accessions, and providing variety diagnostic services to the berry industry. Our work will help the berry industry at large, including public and private breeders, nurseries, and growers.