USDA Supports Specialty Crop Industry with Multi-State Initiatives

On Monday, the USDA announced $7 million of funding support for specialty crop industries.  The funding will support 11 projects in six states, including Washington to “develop solutions to challenges” affecting specialty crop producers.  The funding is managed through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program and administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service.

The 2018 funding will support partnership-based projects that, while originating in six states, are developed through multiple other states via universities.  The program, according to USDA, helps strengthen food safety, while helping growers of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and horticulture crops, find new ways to address plant pests and diseases. Specific details of each project can be found online at www.ams.usda.gov.

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