Tennessee has been reportedly awarded more than USD 545,000 in the Fiscal Year 2022 SCBGP (Specialty Crop Block Grant Program) funding by USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service).

This grant will assist the TDA (Tennessee Department of Agriculture) fund projects that will improve the competitiveness of specialty crops. In addition, it will also support cultivators of specialty crops through research, education, and marketing.

Jenny Lester Moffitt, the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs added that these projects will fuel new market opportunities and innovative research in the specialty crop sector while bolstering USDA’s goals of developing a fair and equitable food system and supporting regional and local growers.

According to credible sources, TDA will fund 13 specialty crop projects. Among these projects, Cul2vate, an organization which offers nutritional foods to underserved communities and local food restaurants has received a $50,000 award. This funding will allow the organization to offer education related to nutrition, good agricultural practices, food safety, and the implementation of urban agriculture projects to the end users.

This project will also concentrate on equipping the underemployed populace with agricultural skills. The other projects that are being funded focus on youth education, pest management, research, and best practices.

Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M, Agriculture Commissioner, stated that the TDA gives importance to projects which impact multiple producers and lay a strong foundation for future growers. The grants that it awards are forward-thinking and can be utilized for research or teaching.

This funding is a part of the total USD 72.9 million in the non-competitive FY 2022 SCBGP funding scheme, and supports farmers who grow specialty crops, such as tree nuts, vegetables, fruits, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will solidify U.S. specialty crop production markets and ensure an affordable and abundant supply of highly nutritious vegetables, fruits, and other specialty crops, that are crucial to the well-being and health of all Americans.

The current funding is awarded for three years, beginning September 30, 2022. Since 2006, USDA has funded 11,331 projects that have enhanced the scope for specialty crops in the U.S. and abroad.

Source: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/news/2022/8/25/usda-announces-specialty-crop-block-grant-program-funding-awarded-to-tennessee.html