Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

USDA announced Thursday it is investing $169.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The goal of the program is to support farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops. Of the nearly $170 million distributed nationally, the Pacific Northwest was awarded roughly $8.75 m ...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has announced the projects awarded Specialty Crop Block Grant funding this year. The 15 projects across the state will share roughly $2 million all together. Awardees this year include: Chemeketa Community College Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation Oregon Department of Agriculture (two awards for the Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program)

The Specialty crop industry in Idaho will have a little more grant money to use this year. The Idaho state Department of Agriculture announced earlier this month that it will accept applications for an additional $2.8 million in grant money available through the specialty crop block grant program ...

Earlier this week, the USDA announced the availability of more than $330 million as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers program. The funding includes $169.9 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, $75 million for Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program grantees and approximately $80 million in payments to domestic users of upland and extra-long staple cotton ...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture recently filed Administrative Rules with the Oregon Secretary of State's office looking to significantly limit the use of chlorpyrifos immediately and phases out nearly all use by 2024. The Department said the nearly three-year phase-out provides research time into alternative products and evaluates newly EPA approved insecticides ...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture received $4.65 million in federal Specialty Crop Block Grant funds in 2020. Project Manager Leisa Schumaker said the funds are made available as part of the Farm Bill to increase the competitiveness and demand of Washington's specialty crops ...

The Idaho state Department of Agriculture’s annual specialty crop block grant program was much more popular in 2020 compared to just a year earlier. ISDA said 17 different projects were awarded $1.8 million, specifically to help specialty crop growers across the state. The ...

Washington State University and the state Department of Agriculture are conducting a survey focused on soil health, but they need your help.  WSU and WSDA are working together to develop a soil health index.  The project will use in-field measurements and soil samples to analyze overall soil health, as well a background on practices that may affect soil health.  Partici...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is currently accepting proposals for the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  Roughly $1.5 million is expected to be available to Ag industry associations, producer groups, processors, commodity commissions, non-profits, for profits, and local government agencies in Oregon.  Funding ...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is out with this year’s recipients of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds.  Nearly $2.1 million will fund 14 projects to help boost the competitiveness of Oregon’s fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and other specialty crops. 2019 grant aware winners in...