KEY TAKEAWAYS: Louisiana will receive $461,475.63 through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to strengthen specialty crop production and competitiveness. The funding will support Louisiana producers of honey, pecans, citrus and mayhaw through research, education, marketing and out reach initiatives. Louisiana’s grant program includes two research projects, two education and outreach projects, two marketing projects and three projects spanning multiple focus areas. The funding is part of an $86.6 million nationwide USDA investment supporting approximately 609 projects across 56 states and territories.   Louisiana will receive more than $461,000 in federal funding to help strengthen specialty crop production across the state, supporting industries ranging from honey and pecans to citrus and mayhaw. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is distributing $86.6 million nationwide for projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticultural products and other specialty crops. Louisiana’s allocation of $461,475.63 will be administered by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, which plans to use the money to fund research, education, marketing and outreach initiatives designed to help producers grow their businesses and overcome industry challenges. The announcement was part of a broader USDA package supporting about 609 projects across 56 states and territories. “Today I am proud to announce USDA will be investing more than $86 million across 56 states and territories through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said in a statement. “These 609 state projects represent the Trump Administration’s commitment to innovation, marketing and research, ensuring specialty crop businesses are at the forefront of markets all around the world.” According to USDA, the grants are intended to benefit producers of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, nursery crops and other specialty agricultural products through projects that improve food safety, support research, combat pests and diseases, expand market access and encourage healthy eating. What the funding means for Louisiana farmers  Louisiana agriculture is often associated with sugarcane, rice and crawfish, but specialty crops play a significant role in the state’s rural economy. Producers grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and horticultural products that supply local markets and consumers throughout the region. The state’s grant program includes: Two research projects Two education and outreach projects Two marketing projects Three projects spanning multiple focus areas The funding will target several Louisiana specialty crop sectors, including honey, pecans, mayhaw and citrus fruit, while also addressing production, marketing and distribution challenges facing growers. State officials said projects will focus on promoting Louisiana-grown specialty crops, improving producer access to research and development resources, expanding consumer access to locally produced crops and tackling issues affecting producers on the local, regional and national levels. For growers, the funding could help support efforts to improve crop quality, increase market visibility and strengthen long-term sustainability in industries that often face challenges from weather events, pests, disease pressures and shifting consumer demand. A competitive edge for local agriculture  USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was created to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, a category that includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture products and nursery crops. Unlike traditional farm subsidies, the grants are awarded to state agriculture departments, which then distribute funding through subawards to qualifying projects that provide broader benefits to specialty crop industries. Nationwide, funded projects are expected to support research, develop improved crop varieties, strengthen food safety efforts and help producers get specialty crops to market more efficiently and affordably. For Louisiana producers, the latest investment represents another opportunity to bolster industries that contribute to the state’s agricultural diversity while helping rural communities remain economically competitive. As consumer demand for locally grown foods continues to increase, officials hope the grant-funded projects will create new opportunities for specialty crop producers and expand awareness of Louisiana-grown products both inside and outside the state. Aaron Gonsoulin is the General Assignment/Trending Reporter for The Daily Advertiser. Contact him at [email protected].  This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: USDA funding boosts Louisiana honey, citrus and pecan growers Reporting by Aaron Gonsoulin, Lafayette Daily Advertiser / Lafayette Daily Advertiser USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect ...read more read less