The USDA recently announced $40.6 million in grants to 60 projects that support the processing and promotion of domestic organic products.

That followed 10 awards worth $9.75 million in January.

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The agency anticipates the projects funded to benefit more than 27,000 producers and over 31.8 million consumers by increasing opportunities.

“Farmers who choose to grow organic often access new, more and better markets,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, in a news release.

Washington had five projects win grants during the two rounds of awards, Oregon three and Idaho one.

Washington

• Tapenade Inc. of Seattle, doing business as Wilridge Winery, received a $2.9 million grant (with a required match of $976,000) to increase the domestic and international market share for organic Washington wines.

The project will double the capacity of Wilridge’s production facility, increasing the local market for USDA certified organic wine grapes in the state, specifically in the Yakima area.

• Mainstem Malt SPC of Walla Walla, Wash., was awarded $931,000 in January (with a required match of $931,000) for a project to develop new markets for organic malt.

The company will develop a new certified organic malt line that coordinates an ecologically responsible grain value chain from farmer to buyer.

• Lukens Farms, doing business as Grace Harbor Farms, in Custer, Wash., received $100,000 for new equipment that will allow it to partner with organic dairy neighbors to bring more products to market and meet demand.

• Snowgrass Farm in Leavenworth, Wash., received $87,000 for machinery acquisition to expand organic production. The woman-owned farm seeks to provide access to their high tunnels during the winter, allowing them to grow year-round and boost production 30%.

• Puget Sound Food Hub Cooperative in Mount Vernon, Wash., won a $86,000 grant to purchase processing equipment to allow members to offer value-added products, including fresh cut and frozen produce.

Oregon

• Grange Cooperative of White City, Ore., received $1.5 million (equal match required) to expand processing and marketing capacity for organic grain for livestock feed.

The co-op aims to process 2,000 additional tons of organic grain feed and increase domestic organic grain feed sales by $1.65 million by the end of the project period.

• Oregon Organic Coalition, headquartered in Lyons, Ore., received a $548,000 grant in January (equal match required) to grow the market for Pacific Northwest organic products.

The project includes collaborators including the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Organically Grown Co. and Tilth alliance. One key aspect of the project will be assisting producers to become market-ready for wholesale sales.

• Camas Country Mill of Eugene, Ore., won $100,000 to purchase equipment and increase interest and access to ancient grains in the form of pearled organic grains. The project will increase processing capacity by 15%.

Idaho

• Double Eagle Dairy of Murtaugh, Idaho, received $708,000 (equal match required) to create a marketplace for purchase and consumption of organic animal feed.

The dairy will purchase and install machinery and equipment to convert organic crops efficiently and accurately into precise animal feeds.