Press Release
☷USDA Announces $40 5 Million in Grant Awards to Support Processing and Promotion of Domestic Organic Products
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
Mar 15,2024
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The U . S . Department of Agriculture ' s Agricultural Marketing Service ( AMS ) has awarded around $40 . 5 million for 60 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant program . These projects will help develop new and existing organic markets , improve processing capacity , explore new technologies for promoting organic products , and purchase equipment to meet the growing demand for organic commodities . The projects are expected to benefit over 27 , 000 producers and more than 31 . 8 million consumers . USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt made the announcement at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim , Calif . Torres Small mentioned that choosing to grow organic allows farmers to access better markets , and USDA is committed to supporting them through programs like the Organic Market Development Grant program . This funding is part of President Biden ' s investment in rural communities and a stronger food system . Under Secretary Moffitt stated that the awards will help meet critical needs in the organic industry and support the creation and expansion of markets for producers . The funding was made available in May 2023 , and this is the second round of awards . Recipients include Almar Orchards LLC , a family - owned organic apple orchard in Flushing , Mich . , which received funding to purchase a washing and sorting line to expand into the baby/kid food market and serve as an aggregator for other growers in the region . Almar will be able to grow more organic apples on an additional 100 acres thanks to increased capacity . The Georgia Organic Peanut Association , Inc . is teaming up with Oliver Oil Company to produce certified organic peanut oil in the Southeast for the first time . Big Sandy Organics , LLC in Montana is expanding their processing capacity for organic grains and pulse crops . For more information on the projects funded by OMDG , visit their webpage . AMS focused on funding projects that address specific market needs in the organic industry . The USDA Organic Transition Initiative supports farmers transitioning to organic production . AMS is dedicated to supporting U . S . food and agriculture markets and increasing access to healthy foods . For more information on AMS grants and programs , visit their website . In the Biden - Harris Administration , the USDA is changing America ' s food system to focus more on local and regional food production , creating fairer markets for farmers , and ensuring that everyone has access to safe , healthy , and nutritious food . They are also helping farmers and producers find new ways to make money using climate - friendly practices , investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy , and working towards a more diverse and inclusive workforce . To find out more , visit www . usda . gov . #USDA treats everyone equally when it comes to providing opportunities , employment , and loans .
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