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    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

     

    Pennsylvania Awarded More Than $1 Million in Federal Grants to Boost Sales, Quality of Vegetable, Mushroom, Fruit, and Nut Crops

    August 26, 2024

    The federal funds will support 10 projects to increase the visibility, quality, and competitive standing of Pennsylvania’s specialty crops.

    In addition, the 2024-25 bipartisan budget invests $13 million in the PA Farm Bill, which includes the state’s own PA Specialty Crop Block Grant program, to enhance the federal program — continuing Pennsylvania’s legacy as a national leader in agriculture.

    Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania received $915,758 in federal funds for 10 projects to increase the visibility, quality, and competitive standing of the state’s specialty crops, including fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and nuts. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture received an additional $94,363 to administer the program, bringing Pennsylvania’s total award to more than $1.01 million.

    The funds are a portion of $72.9 million awarded nationwide through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

    “Pennsylvania is a national leader in mushrooms, apples, peaches, flowers, and other specialty crops,” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.. “Investments like this keep our growers at the top of their field, in demand by consumers, and at the cutting edge of technology to stay ahead of disease, pest, and climate threats. These investments demonstrate that the Shapiro Administration is working with Biden Administration to keep Pennsylvania farms feeding the world.”

    Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has signed into law two bipartisan budgets spurring innovation, cutting red tape, and investing to make Pennsylvania agriculture businesses more competitive and sustain our national leadership. In addition to a new $10 million Agriculture Innovation and Conservation fund, the 2024-25 budget invests $13 million in the PA Farm Bill, which includes the state’s own PA Specialty Crop Block Grant program to enhance the federal program. The PA Farm Bill makes critical investments in building the processing infrastructure and marketing the industry needs and removing barriers between the industry and workers who want to be part of its future.

    “We are happy to once again partner with Pennsylvania on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the region’s specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success.”

    Grants announced today fund projects focused on research, marketing, apprenticeships, and sustainability for mushrooms, apples, potatoes, and other crops for which Pennsylvania ranks among the nation’s top producers.

    Grantees, amounts received, and project titles include:

    Rodale Institute, Berks County­ – $122,000

    Understanding economic potential for organic hazelnut production systems in Pennsylvania

    Penn State University, Centre County – $89,943

    Southern blight: An emerging disease threatening the PA tree fruit industry

    Penn State University, Centre County – $75,000

    Characterization and diagnosis of specialty crop pathogens

    Penn State University, Centre County – $80,235

    Creating new market opportunities with high-value Italian specialty vegetables

    Penn State University, Centre County – $99,926

    Novel spectral robot for early-stage disease detection and treatment in mushroom farms

    Penn State University, Statewide – $81,003

    Screening cucurbit varieties for drought tolerance, pest resistance, and pollination efficiency

    PA Cooperative Potato Growers, Dauphin County – $101,000

    Optimize cultural management practices for leading potato varieties in Pennsylvania

    LEAF Project, Perry County – $96,606

    Diversified Vegetable Pre-Apprenticeship Program

    Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Philadelphia County – $71,887

    Cultivating After-School Leaders

    Learn how Governor Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy recognizes agriculture as key to our future economic success, and find more investments in a strong future for Pennsylvania agriculture at shapirobudget.pa.gov. 

    Contact: Shannon Powers, 717-603-2056 or shpowers@pa.gov