Specialty Crop Research Funding Released

Ag News

USDA has awarded more than 46-million dollars through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to solve critical specialty crop agriculture issues, address priorities and solve problems through multifunctional research and extension. In making the announcement, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said, - this significant investment will enable specialty crop producers to improve their products and increase their profitability. The projects funded in 2009 address research and extension needs for crops that span the entire spectrum of specialty crops production, from studying invasive mealy bug pests in west coast vineyards to developing biodegradable mulches for specialty crops produced under protective covers. Major projects were also funded to protect important specialty crops from invasive pests and to develop improved varieties.

Although 20 institutions will manage the research/extension grant funds, each award includes an average of 8 principal investigators from three other states who will work together in a multi-disciplinary approach to solve problems. All of the awards require 100 percent matching funds from non-federal sources which will double the impact of the award dollars.