USDA awards $8.3M to boost specialty crop trade
The USDA has awarded $8.3M to boost specialty crop trade. Learn how these grants can grow your market globally.
The funding is provided through USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which manages the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. TASC helps U.S. specialty crop producers combat trade barriers, as well as promote and sell their goods internationally.
“Our market development programs are bringing the bounty of American agriculture to people around the world, helping millions of hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers connect their safe, high-quality products with growing export markets,” Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg said in a news release.
The National Potato Council (NPC) was awarded $650,000.
The USDA market development programs return an estimated $24.50 for every dollar invested, according to the department.
The TASC program makes $9 million available annually to fund projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. Eligible activities include seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, pest and disease research, and pre-clearance programs. Eligible crops include all cultivated plants and their products produced in the U.S. except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco.
Other 2025 recipients include the Almond Board of California, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.