Governor Youngkin Announces $610,000 in Grants to Boost Virginia’s Specialty Crop Industry

Virginia’s farms are getting a boost, thanks to a new round of federal grant funding aimed at helping farmers grow and sell more specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and nursery plants. Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced $610,350 in grant awards for seven innovative agriculture projects across the Commonwealth.

“Virginia’s agriculture sector continues to generate new innovations that strengthen the Commonwealth’s food systems, open new market opportunities, and support economic development,” said Governor Youngkin. “I applaud the institutions and organizations leading these grant projects for advancing specialty crop research and enhancing the competitiveness of Virginia’s producers.”

The funding comes through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, a federal initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program supports research, training, and marketing efforts that help farmers grow and sell more specialty crops. In Virginia, the grant process is managed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

Specialty crops include a wide variety of produce and plants, such as apples, berries, greens, nuts, herbs, cut flowers, and nursery plants. The grants support farmers and researchers working to improve crop yields, develop pest control methods, improve food safety, and open new market opportunities—especially for smaller or beginning farmers.

“These unique specialty crop projects will improve growing methods and yields, drive technological advancements, and protect our food supply,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “We’re proud to see this level of expertise in the Commonwealth, and we look forward to seeing the increased competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops that will come from these grant projects.”

Grant Recipients and Projects

This year’s grant recipients include Virginia Tech, Appalachian Sustainable Development, and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Their projects are located across the state—from Danville to the Eastern Shore, and from Blacksburg to Winchester.

Here’s a look at how some of the projects aim to support farmers and improve food systems in Virginia:

• Virginia Tech is leading several research efforts, including:
  • Reducing disease in irrigation water used for brassicas like cabbage and broccoli.
  • Testing new methods for growing strawberries in soilless substrate.
  • Improving pest control for moths that damage leafy crops.
  • Studying the effects of plant growth regulators on apple quality.
  • Researching ways to disinfect irrigation water using floating wetlands naturally.
• Appalachian Sustainable Development, based in Duffield, will expand its Grow Your Own program to help new farmers grow specialty crops like heirloom vegetables. Participants will receive tools, seeds, and training to get started.
• The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville will test growing bok choy in hydroponic systems to see if the leafy vegetable could become a strong new crop for controlled environment agriculture.

Each project will provide training or research results to local farmers, allowing more growers to benefit from new ideas and technologies.

The grant program gave priority to projects that:

• Help farmers switch to high-value specialty crops,
• Increase farm income through value-added products,
• Improve marketing strategies, and
• Create pilot programs that can be used in other parts of rural Virginia.

For more details about these and future grant opportunities, visit the Virginia Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website at vdacs.virginia.gov.