The grants are funded through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Specialty Crop Research Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

“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, by state, include:

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Ark., $50,000
• The American Olive Oil Producers Association, Clovis, Calif., $50,000
• 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
• North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $ 3,717,519
• North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $ 3,276,666
• North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $46,956
• Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $ 2,849,975
• Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $50,000
• New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M., $ 4,404,284
• 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
• Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Texas, $35,418