The Oregon Department of Agriculture will provide $2 million in USDA specialty crop grants for 11 projects.

The year’s recipients, announced Oct. 7, will help boost the competitiveness of the state’s fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops and other farm products.

More grants coverage

USDA awards millions for western wildfire reduction projects

WSU lands USDA grants for popped beans, buckwheat, vineyards

Oregon, California firms get $4 million USDA fertilizer grants

USDA provides $6 million in labor grants to Northwest ag organizations

Oregon ag department gives $8.6 million in grants to expand meat processing

West Coast commodity groups get USDA grants to boost trade

Over the past 10 years, Oregon has received about $20 million from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which has supported more than 220 projects.

Oregon will start its application process for 2025 specialty crop grants in December.

Award winners

•Oregon State University won three awards for research.

Researchers at the OSU Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center will receive $175,000 to evaluate soil fumigation and cover crops in potato fields.

It isn’t clear how fumigation impacts soil health and production. Over the years, growers also have used cover crops such as mustard and wheat as biofumigants but their benefits aren’t quantified.

In another $175,000 project, precision agriculture will be used to reduce and improve pesticide use in vegetable and seed production. Findings will be shared at grower field days and industry meetings.

OSU also received $172,000 to work with Compliance Services International to develop a project that addresses the issue of grower and pesticide applicator compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for protection of threatened and endangered species.

•Adalente Mujeres will receive $175,500 to work with ODA and other partners to support Latino specialty grower capacity.

Education, training and market access opportunities are part of the project plan, as well as providing farmers access to acreage in Gaston to cultivate specialty crops through regenerative agriculture methods.

•Pratum Co-op was awarded $175,000 for a project to increase turfgrass sales through sustainable lawns education and marketing.

Soaring input costs and the growing movement of U.S. homeowners transitioning their traditional lawns to alternative landscapes is threatening the viability of the state’s turfgrass growers. But opportunity exists to boost specialty crop turfgrass seed sales by appealing to the consumer demand landscaping.

•The Northwest Cider Association won a $175,000 grant to address market development and access issues for cideries.

Funding will be used to expand the 2025 and 2026 NW Cider Symposiums and panels to include Oregon specific content and attendees.

•The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association was awarded $173,000 for a market research and campaign to increase Oregon Christmas tree sales.

The project aims to promote Oregon-grown Noble fir and Douglas fir trees in West Coast markets.

•Black Food Sovereignty Coalition was awarded $172,000 for its farm based experiential learning through community led events at Black Futures Farm in Portland.

The project will promote the awareness, consumption and value of Oregon specialty crops in Black communities.

•ODA Insect Pest Prevention and Management, working with Oregon State University Extension in Hood River, will receive $164,000 to expand access to biological control for brown marmorated stink bug.

Researchers will mass-rear the invasive pest’s natural enemy, the samurai wasp, providing growers with beneficial insect releases and monitoring.

•Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission was awarded $121,000 to conduct buyer research and market development for caneberries and strawberries.

Research will help the industry pinpoint priorities and potential obstacles when buyers are choosing frozen fruit from Oregon.

•High Desert Partnership won a $111,000 grant to develop Harney County’s agricultural market and economy for underserved residents.

The organization aims to spur direct business development for producers, as well as to establish and operate a farmers market and advertise for local food businesses.