The US Department of Agriculture has granted more than $600.000 to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture for twelve projects aimed at supporting growers and their crops. Among these projects are:
- Produce Safety Rule On-Farm Produce Safety Improvements and Grower Training Grant ($30,000): This grant is meant to assist produce growers in enhancing food safety on their farms by offering Produce Safety Rule Grower trainings at a reduced cost, and to provide a cost-share program to assist produce growers in implementing on-farm food safety improvements in order to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act, Produce Safety Rule.
- Determining Prevalence of Nematodes Damaging Strawberries in South Carolina ($54,871): Following a statewide survey for nematodes occurring in strawberry fields in South Carolina, greenhouse studies will be conducted at Clemson University to determine a new action threshold for the most commonly occurring nematode. The results will be disseminated to stakeholders through extension and scientific publications, grower meetings, field days, and scientific meetings.
- Enhancing the South Carolina Specialty Crop Industry Through Education and Trade Show Promotion ($57,106): The South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association, in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, will work together to promote the specialty crop industry through a cost-share program that will assist growers in attending identified domestic industry trade shows and conferences. This proposed project will benefit South Carolina specialty crop producers, growers, wholesalers, and other allied industry members.
- Enhancing the South Carolina Specialty Crop Industry Through Value-added Packaging ($18,259): The South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association will administer a program for small and medium-sized specialty crop growers. This project will provide funding for a cost-share reimbursement program to offset the burdensome cost of packaging expenses for growers. This project will enable growers to increase their share of South Carolina’s specialty crop industry while complying with market outlet packaging requirements.
To see the full list of projects receiving funding, click here.