Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 19 grants totaling $36.5 million for research and extension to support American farmers growing fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. The grants are funded through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Specialty Crop Research Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

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USDA NIFA announces grants to support farmers growing fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops. (Photo: branex/Thinkstock)

"America's specialty crop farmers face many challenges ranging from a changing climate to increasing production costs. Investing in cutting edge research helps uncover solutions to keep their operations viable and ensures Americans have access to safe, affordable and diverse food options," said Vilsack. "The universities, state departments of agriculture and trade associations that partner with USDA address challenges at the national and local levels to help sustain all parts of America's food and agriculture system, whether the farms are small or large, conventional or organic."

USDA's Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) develops and disseminates science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops. The funded projects address research and extension needs that span the entire spectrum of specialty crops production from researching plant genetics to improving crop characteristics; identifying and addressing threats from pests and diseases; improving production and profitability; developing new production innovations and technologies; and developing methods to respond to food safety hazards.

Grants being announced today, by state, include:

-Agricultural Research Service, Peoria, Ill., $3,694,012
-Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $3,673,611
-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Md., $3,683,590
-Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $1,467,724
-Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $48,558
-Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $ 2,849,975
-Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $50,000
-Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $ 4,281,618
-Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $ 2,019,142
-Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $35,240
-Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $33,744
-Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., $3,112,410

Abstracts for this year's funded projects can be viewed on NIFA's reporting website.

Related: USDA makes $2.6 million investment in specialty crop industry

Source: USDA