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More than $2M awarded to support fruit, vegetable growers

Federal money will help with marketing, pests, sustainability and climate resiliency.

October 22, 2024

1 Min Read
Healthy fruits and vegetables on table
FARM BILL FUNDING: Since 2008, the farm bill has included the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to fund fruit and vegetable commodities. Aiselin82/Getty Images

More than $2 million has been awarded across 23 grants to support Michigan specialty crop growers who produce fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, hops, flowers and other nursery products.

The grants were through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., created in the 2008 Farm Bill. 

Before 2008, the federal farm bill focused on traditional commodity crops and had no section dedicated to fruits and vegetables. In 2008, Stabenow authored the first-ever fruits and vegetables section of a farm bill to support specialty crops vital to Michigan’s economy.

Stabenow continues to leverage her position as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to strengthen support for these crops and make major investments in organic crops and local and regional food systems.

The funds will help growers promote their products at home and abroad, protect crops from pests and diseases, improve sustainability and climate resiliency, and boost market competitiveness for specialty crop farmers across Michigan. 

The 23 grant projects include:

  • Allen Neighborhood Center, $102,611

  • Hop Growers of Michigan, $94,000

  • Michigan Ag Council, $100,000

  • Michigan Apple Committee, $125,000

  • Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, $124,984

  • Michigan Bean Commission, $99,894

  • Michigan Bean Commission, $80,665

  • Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee, $6,431

  • Michigan Blueberry Commission, $100,000

  • Michigan Carrot Committee, $99,693

  • Michigan Celery Research Inc., $99,283

  • Michigan Cherry Committee, $98,995

  • Michigan Christmas Tree Association, $75,002

  • Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council, $100,000

  • Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association, $99,925

  • Michigan Potato Industry Commission, $99,644

  • Michigan State Horticultural Society, $125,000

  • Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, $97,208

  • Michigan Vegetable Council, $99,576

  • Michigan Vegetable Council, $100,000

  • Midwest Chestnut Producers Council, $99,000

  • West Central Michigan Horticultural Research Inc., $42,379.34

  • Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Program, $155,267.69

Source: Sen. Debbie Stabenow

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