The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded about $40.5 million for 60 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant Program.
These projects will support the development of new and existing organic markets, support the infrastructure to improve processing capacity, explore emerging technologies to promote organic products, and purchase equipment to help meet the increasing demand for organic commodities. USDA anticipates the projects funded through this program will benefit more than 27,000 producers and over 31.8 million consumers by increasing organic market opportunities.
“Farmers who choose to grow organic often access new, more, and better markets,” says USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl mTorres Small. “At USDA, we are committed to making it easier for farmers who make that choice through programs like the Organic Market Development Grant Program, which supports farmers and increases access to fresh, healthy foods.”
This round of awards will address critical needs within the nation’s growing organic industry.
