The department of energy & environment government of the district of columbia will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops;…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the Department of Energy and Environment $243,001.17 on September 30, 2025, under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (CFDA 10.170) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including mushrooms, leafy greens, and other crops throughout the District of Columbia.

The award funds one research project and two education and outreach initiatives. Performance runs through September 29, 2028, in Washington, DC. The recipient distributes funding through sub-awards to implement the work: Eightfold Farms DC LLC (sub-award awarded April 2, 2026) partners with DC Public School Anne Beers Elementary School on a three-year educational initiative centered on mushroom cultivation and specialty crop awareness. City Blossoms Inc. (sub-award awarded February 9, 2026) partners with neighborhoods across all eight wards to operate instruction at six gardens and green spaces, offering resources and teaching children and adults about growing, preparing, and eating fruits and vegetables at sites located adjacent to residential complexes or schools.

The program aims to enhance specialty crop competitiveness through marketing and promotion, research and development assistance to producers, expanded availability and access to specialty crops, and activities addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

The department of energy & environment government of the district of columbia 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 district's sub-awards include 1 research project and 2 education and outreach projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including mushrooms, leafy greens, and a variety of other specialty crops throughout the district of columbia.