ODA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Winners

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and USDA have announced this year’s recipients of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. In Oregon, nearly $2 million will fund 11 projects to help boost the competitiveness of the state’s fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and other specialty crops. Winners include:

Over $164-thousand to ODA’s effort to address the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Over $111-thousand to High Desert partnership Title to develop Harney County’s Ag market and economy
Nearly $175-thousand to the Northwest Cider Association to develop market access
$121-thousand to the Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission

“Specialty crops for example hazelnuts, nursery stock, and wine grapes add tremendous value and diversity to Oregon agriculture,” says ODA Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson. “This grant program is an important source of funding in support of both food and horticultural production in the state.”

Oregon ranks in the top ten in the nation for the production of specialty crops. Over the past ten years, Oregon has received close to $20 million in funding from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which has paved the way for over 220 projects throughout the state and supporting the following priorities:

Local/regional/domestic/international market development, access, and certification
On Farm Labor Needs
Cross Commodity Colaboration
Food Safery Compliance and Traceability
Addressing Regulatory Burden
Productivities Enhancements, Innovation and Value Added Products
Agriculture and Food Related Priorities Identifyed by Oregon Solutions Network Regional Soultions Centers

The 2024 funded projects involve a diversity of crops and span a wide geographic area of Oregon agricultural production. A list and summary of all funded projects is available at the ODA's Website. The 2025 application process will begin in December of 2024.

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