The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) this week awarded over $2 million in Fiscal Year 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Idaho.
With this grant, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) will fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop products and create new market opportunities for the state’s specialty crop producers.
Through the grant program, the state Department of Agriculture will fund 17 projects. Among ISDA’s projects, is funding to the College of Southern Idaho to create a trellised apple orchard and irrigation system to provide hands-on education to students and develop a pipeline of skilled workers who can contribute to the implementation of innovative practices. Additional funded projects focus in areas like disease management, domestic and international marketing and digital innovation.
The funding to Idaho is part of a total of $72.9 million spread across all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia. The funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops.
