The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocated more than $72 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) nationwide. Oregon was awarded nearly $1.9 million up from $1.7 in 2017. Oregon is seventh in the nation in the production of specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. The purpose of the SCBGP is to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops statewide, regionally and globally. “Oregon is very competitive and consistantly brings forward creative and inventive Specialty Block Grant projects,” said the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Director Alexis Taylor. “Over the last decade the state has received more than $17 million in funding from the SCBGP, with more than 200 projects statewide. We are confident this year’s projects will continue our legacy of success and lead to improvements our industry.” ODA will fund 15 projects awarding grants ranging from $25,000 to $175,000, at nonprofit and for-profit organizations, government entities, and colleges and universities. Projects are selected through a competitive process, focusing on the nine funding priorities of the program: market development local and international, certification programs development, food safety compliance, distrubution efficencey, pest and disease management, training the next generation, on-farm labor needs, productivities enhancents through innovation and value added products, and food-related priorities as outlined by the Oregon Solutions Network Regional Solutions Centers. For more information and summary of all funded projects please visit our website here. ODA accepts SCBGP applications annually. For more information please visit the ODA web pageor contact Specialty Crop Block Grant Coordinator, Gabrielle Redhead at 503-986-6473.
