WASHINGTON (USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced $244,000 in funding awarded to Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Through this program, the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources will fund projects that strengthen CNMI’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said USDA Undersecretary 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 ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the region’s specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success.”
Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources will fund three projects. The funded projects will focus on offering a wide variety of specialty crops to the community, creating school gardens, and developing new value-added products.
The funding to CNMI is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2024 funding awarded to 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production, expand markets, and ensure an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops is available to all Americans.
