Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that $610,350 in federal funding from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will be distributed to seven agricultural projects across Virginia. The grants are intended to promote and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown within the state.
“Virginia’s agriculture sector continues to generate new innovations that strengthen the Commonwealth’s food systems, open new market opportunities, and support economic development,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “I applaud the institutions and organizations leading these grant projects for advancing specialty crop research and enhancing the competitiveness of Virginia’s producers.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program supports efforts aimed at improving specialty crop production through research and development initiatives. Eligible applicants include agricultural associations, industry groups, localities, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) prioritized projects focused on assisting farmers transitioning into high-value specialty crops, increasing farm income through value-added enterprises, exploring new marketing methods for specialty products, and developing pilot programs with potential for wider adoption in rural areas.
“These unique specialty crop projects will improve growing methods and yields, drive technological advancements, and protect our food supply,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “We’re proud to see this level of expertise in the Commonwealth and we look forward to seeing the increased competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops that will come from these grant projects.”
Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture products, nursery crops including floriculture. The current round of funding includes research into disease management for various crops as well as efforts to boost economic resilience, food safety measures, and market access.
Among those receiving grants:
– Virginia Tech is leading several projects including studies on reducing pathogen contamination in irrigation water using floating treatment wetlands; assessing risks related to irrigation water in brassica vegetables; testing soilless substrates for strawberry production; optimizing plant growth regulator applications in apples; developing integrated pest management strategies for cabbage and broccoli.
– Appalachian Sustainable Development is providing cultivation training programs aimed at increasing access to specialty crop production.
– The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is evaluating Bok Choy as a potential new controlled environment agriculture crop suitable for small- or medium-sized farms.
For more information about these initiatives or details about future grant opportunities visit the Virginia Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website.
