October 7, 2019 -The Oregon Department of Agriculture and US Department of Agriculture have announced this year’s recipients of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. In Oregon, nearly $2.1 million will fund 14 projects to help boost the competitiveness of the state’s fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and other specialty crops.
“Specialty crops are a critical part of agriculture in the state,” says ODA Director Alexis Taylor. “The projects funded with these dollars are important to the diversity of Oregon agriculture across the state. The grants give our producers resources to become more competitive in the marketplace.” Oregon ranks sixth in the nation in production of specialty crops. Over the past nine years, Oregon has received nearly $18 million in funding from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which has paved the way for nearly 200 projects throughout the state and supporting the following priorities: Local/regional/domestic/international market development, access, and certification; On Farm Labor Needs; Cross Commodity Collaboration; Food Safety Compliance and Traceability; Addressing Regulatory Burden; Productivities Enhancements, Innovation and Value-Added Products. Agriculture and Food Related Priorities Identified by Oregon Solutions Network Regional Solutions Centers. The 2019 funded projects involve a diversity of crops and span a wide geographic area of Oregon agricultural production. A list and summary of all funded projects is available at https://oda.direct/SCBGP/