California is getting $22.6 million from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is the most in the country.
According to California agriculture officials, the program provides grants to state departments of agriculture to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture will fund 83 projects, awarding grants ranging from $25,000 to $300,000 to non-profit and for-profit organizations, government entities, and colleges and universities.
Those projects focus on increasing sales of specialty crops by promoting the California Grown identity along with other factors such as expanding the specialty crop consumer market.
