New Jersey’s agricultural sector will get a boost from an $801,000 grant from the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help promote and enhance the advantage of the Garden State’s specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, horticulture and nursery products.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant will fund 14 projects, part of the USDA’s ongoing efforts to support specialty crops nationwide that play a crucial role in food and agriculturally based economic development. Specialty crops account for more than 80% of the state’s $1.5 billion in annual agricultural sales.
“The Specialty Crop Block Grant program not only helps New Jersey promote our ‘Jersey Fresh’ program, but it also supports additional marketing activities across various commodities and organizations,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn.
“We are pleased to continue this relationship with the USDA and use these funds to enhance the marketing and messaging for local, healthy foods.”
The state’s Department of Agriculture will allocate $390,572 of the grant to support the Jersey Fresh program, a popular initiative that highlights locally grown produce. The remaining funds will be distributed across several projects focused on agricultural marketing, cooperative development and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with New Jersey on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” noted USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets … (and) also supports the long-term success of the region’s specialty crop growers.”
Among the projects receiving funding:
- Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station will lead four research projects, including using a TraitFinder sensor at the P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research, evaluating white grub densities in blueberries, and addressing boxwood blight and boxtree moth issues.
- The New Jersey Beekeepers Association will increase public awareness and consumption of locally produced honey, promoting beekeeping practices and the benefits of New Jersey honey.
- The New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association will plan and implement the annual convention for specialty crop producers.
- The Franklin Food Bank will run a nutrition program to increase the consumption of specialty crops among children and adults.
- Geogreens Charities and The College of New Jersey will conduct research aimed at shortening the growth cycle of key vegetable crops to improve productivity and food security.
- The New Jersey Blueberry Growers Association and The Garden State Wine Growers Association will launch marketing initiatives to promote local products, including Jersey Fresh blueberries.
- The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council will shift to digital marketing to increase awareness of Jersey peaches during peak season.
This federal grant is part of a larger $72.9 million in non-competitive 2024 funding awarded to 54 states, territories and Washington, D.C. USDA support aims to strengthen specialty crop production nationwide, expand markets and ensure Americans have access to an affordable supply of specialty crops.
