Press Release
☷Biden Harris Administration Announces Investments to Strengthen U S Specialty Crops Sector
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
Jan 30,2024
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The ASCE initiative is funded through a set aside from USDA ' s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program ( RAPP ) , a foreign market development and food security initiative . The $65 million will be used for projects that address barriers specific to specialty crop exports . Secretary Vilsack emphasized the importance of specialty crop producers in feeding both the nation and the world with nutritious fruits , nuts , and vegetables . However , they face unique challenges and barriers in both domestic and foreign markets . The Biden - Harris Administration aims to support specialty crop producers by investing in market access , reducing trade barriers , and promoting their products globally . Today , Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced two investments from the U . S . Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) that aim to support the specialty crops industry . The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports ( ASCE ) initiative will provide $65 million to help the sector increase exports and expand into new markets . Additionally , USDA is offering $72 . 9 million in grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to bolster the competitiveness of the industry . Specialty crop exports accounted for $24 . 6 billion in FY2023 , representing a significant portion of U . S . agricultural exports . In Grant , Michigan , USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor , along with Senator Debbie Stabenow , highlighted these investments and the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative ( SCCI ) . This initiative aims to support specialty crop producers by focusing USDA resources , minimizing costs , managing pests and diseases , strengthening supply chains , and addressing climate outcomes . The USDA ' s Foreign Agricultural Service ( FAS ) is running a program to help boost U . S . specialty crop exports . They want to improve understanding of foreign food safety systems and get other countries to understand U . S . food safety systems . The program will also gather information needed for export certification and packaging that meets new requirements in other countries . The USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs , Alexis Taylor , explained that every specialty crop product has to meet a bunch of import standards in each market it goes to , like plant health standards , certifications , packaging rules , and more . It takes a lot of effort and money for commodity organizations and producers to meet all these requirements . The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative will provide resources to help introduce U . S . specialty crops to new markets . The USDA has identified three areas to help specialty crop exporters: trade and regulatory capacity building , packaging solutions , and a maximum residue limits ( MRL ) database . Each area tackles a big challenge faced by specialty crop producers and exporters . These efforts will create new opportunities and make sure existing markets stay open to U . S . specialty crops . The RAPP program will help exporters break into new markets and increase their market share . The U . S . has had a great few years for agricultural exports , but the trade deficit is still big and expected to grow . There ' s also more competition in Asia and Africa . So , more investments are needed to keep developing markets . The RAPP program will help exporters diversify their markets and maintain important relationships . The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will give noncompetitive grants to state departments of agriculture to support specialty crop growers through marketing , education , and research . Specialty crops include fruits , vegetables , nuts , and more . AMS encourages applications that benefit small farms , new farmers , underserved producers , veterans , and underserved communities . Interested applicants should apply through their state departments of agriculture . You can find a list of state contacts on the SCBGP website . States and territories must submit their applications electronically through www . grants . gov by May 2 , 2024 , 11:59 p . m . ET . Applications received after the deadline will not be considered unless the applicant provides valid documentation of a circumstance that prevented timely submission . More information is available in the AMS Late and Non - Responsive Application Policy . USDA positively impacts the lives of all Americans every day . Under the Biden - Harris Administration , USDA is working towards a more resilient local and regional food production system , fairer markets for producers , access to safe and nutritious food in all communities , new income opportunities for farmers using climate - smart practices , investments in rural infrastructure and clean energy , and promoting equity within the Department . Learn more at www . usda . gov . For more details about grant eligibility , visit the SCBGP website or contact the SCBGP Team at scblockgrants@usda . gov .
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