Washington Receives $4.3 Million In Specialty Crop Grant Funds

On Tuesday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced $4.3 million for Specialty Crop Block funds winners statewide.  The USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant will fund 21 projects across Washington.

The Evergreen State ranks second in the nation behind California in production of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops and floriculture.

Awards for individual projects range from $55,000 to $300,000 and will go to agricultural commodity commissions, agricultural associations, non-profit organizations, Washington State University and WSDA.  WSU is the grant recipient for nine of the projects.  This year, funded projects include pears and apples, berries, nursery, lentils, potatoes, and efforts to enhance food safety.

Earlier this week, ODA announced Oregon will receive $1.7 million in Specialty Crop Grant Funds

You can check out a summary of the 21 projects.

The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was created to support the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry.  WSDA has received more than $27 million over the past nine years for projects supported by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

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