The United States Department of Agriculture announced it will invest $121 million to further research that aims to find solutions to challenges that affect specialty crop and organic agriculture producers.
The investment is part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $82.3 million in grant funding through the Agricultural Marketing Service, a part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative, and awarded through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program.
“We know specialty and organic crops add nutrition to our diets and value to sustainable agriculture systems,” Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA chief scientist and undersecretary for research, education and economics, said. “These crops also play a vital role preserving cultural heritage and enhancing economic opportunities across local, regional and global food systems, making them great competitive funding investments that target some of the most difficult challenges facing specialty crop and organic producers nationwide.”
Specialty crops are referred to as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture, in the Farm Bill. This investment is divided into two parts: “$70.4 million to support specialty crop production research across the United States and $50.5 million to support farmers and ranchers who grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber and organic products,” according to Journal Courier.
The funding will include 17 projects funded by NIFA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative, 23 projects funded by NIFA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI )grants include, and 7 projects funded under NIFA’s Organic Transitions Program.
“Organic agriculture plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable and healthy food systems that benefit people and the planet,” Manjit Misra, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture director, said. “NIFA’s investments in organic research and Extension programs help ensure farmers can meet growing demand for organic products, which provide valuable economic opportunities for growers and more choices for consumers.”
COMMENTS