10.18.16

Hoeven Announces More than $2.5 Million in USDA Funds for North Dakota Specialty Crops

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Agriculture Committees, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the North Dakota Department of Agriculture with more than $2.5 million dollars to support the state’s specialty crops industry. The funding will support 28 projects to research and develop specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, sunflowers, potatoes and horticulture products, including honey. The funds are provided through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

“North Dakota is a leading producer of several specialty crops,” said Hoeven. “These funds will support our state’s specialty crop industries and help to diversify and strengthen production, while also improving the ways we bring these products to market.”

The grants will benefit North Dakota organizations and agencies working to develop and produce specialty crops, including leading agriculture research centers such as North Dakota State University. A complete list of all 28 recipients is available here.

Hoeven is a member of the U.S. Agriculture Committee, who supported the Specialty Crop Block Grant program that was authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill. The senator served on the farm bill conference committee which worked to craft and pass the farm bill.

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