Kansas receives USDA boost for crop projects

By Scout Nelson

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) has announced a significant grant to the state of Kansas of over $331,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This effort is to support Kansas's specialty crop industry through focused marketing, educational, and research projects.

The USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Jenny Lester Moffitt, was enthusiastic about the continued collaboration with Kansas. 

She emphasized that the supported projects are intended to support regional growers for their sustainable future while bolstering the specialty crop business in the United States and guaranteeing Americans' constant access to fresh, locally sourced vegetables.

The grant will facilitate seven distinct projects under the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Among these initiatives, significant funding has been allocated to the Kansas Foundation of Agriculture.

This project focuses on enhancing child nutrition awareness and consumption of specialty crops through educational programs and reimbursements for childcare facilities that purchase local fruits and vegetables.

Other projects funded by this grant include developing sustainable plant protection strategies and comprehensive educational and marketing programs aimed at promoting specialty crops. These efforts are expected to increase community access to local foods and expand market opportunities for growers.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Beam, stated that these grants are vital for emphasizing the role of specialty crops in Kansas. They support growers and add significant economic and social value to communities across the state by ensuring a sustainable supply of local foods.

This funding is part of a broader $72.9 million allocation for the fiscal year 2024 distributed among 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia under the SCBGP. The overarching goal is to enhance the production and marketability of specialty crops across the United States, thereby securing a nutritious and affordable supply of specialty produce nationwide.

Photo Credits:usda