Sens. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, have introduced the Specialty Crops Security Act, which would give industry stakeholders more opportunity for input on specialty crop block grants.
The legislation aims to increase the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program authorization from $85 million to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide feedback about how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture, according to a news release. The House companion bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., earlier this year.
“California’s farmers produce nearly half of the country’s specialty crops, and they deserve a seat at the table when state departments of agriculture make decisions about how to allocate funding that directly impacts them,” Butler said in the release.
In addition to Butler and Collins, the Specialty Crops Security Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.; Angus King, D-Maine; Ben Luján, D-N.M.; Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Bernie Sanders, D-Vt.; and Peter Welch, D-Vt.
The Specialty Crops Security Act is endorsed by the California Farm Bureau, the Western Growers Association, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, the release said.
“The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is one of the few sources of dedicated federal funding for the fresh produce industry,” Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia said in the release. “This program can provide our specialty crop growers with opportunities for food safety research, workforce development and water supply innovation. To be effective, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program must be as responsive to growers as possible.”
Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, said the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is highly effective but underfunded and oversubscribed.
“NASDA supports the Specialty Crop Security Act because it allows states the flexibility to work closely with specialty crop farmers and grower groups in establishing annual priorities,” McKinney said in the release. “In addition, the bill would provide critical funding to support specialty crop competitiveness.”
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said in a statement that the Specialty Crop Block Grant program has enhanced the competitiveness of specialty crop growers across the country.
“Its track record of success, tailored by each state’s unique priorities, merits increased investment from the federal government,” the group said. “The Specialty Crop Security Act of 2024 ... fulfills that goal through additional funding and enhancements to meet the future needs of the U.S. specialty crop industry.”
