In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $648,631 in funding awarded to South Carolina through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Through this program, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture funds projects that strengthen South Carolina’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops.

“Our state’s specialty crop farmers grow the food we eat, and they’re always adapting and innovating to push the industry forward,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “This funding will help farmers navigate changing markets, find new customers, and sustain their farming operations for future generations.”

The funded projects include:

• Cost-share grants to help farmers with costs related to cold storage and value-added packaging.
• A South Carolina Food Systems Network program to foster stronger relationships between specialty crop farmers and chefs through regional conferences and gatherings to enhance consumption and awareness of specialty crops in the state.
• Clemson University research projects on enhancing the quality and shelf life of leafy greens, improving the timely and effective use of chemical pesticides, mitigating various diseases, and improving food safety.
• Conferences and webinars to assist South Carolina’s small fruit growers through networking and education opportunities.

A full project list is available at ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp.

For more information about Specialty Crop Block Grants in South Carolina, visit agriculture.sc.gov/grants.