CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Five West Virginia agribusinesses, organizations and agencies will share more than $302,000 in FY2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).
The grants will support marketing, education and research initiatives that strengthen West Virginia’s specialty crop industry. USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture.
“Here in West Virginia, a vast majority of our farms are small, family-owned businesses. Many of them are niche operations that take specialty crops available here in the Mountain State and market them to a wider audience,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “SCBG continue to help drive innovation and grow our small farms in the State.”
The FY2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant recipients are:
West Virginia University – $43,721.44
WVU will conduct research and outreach activities to find solutions and educate growers to manage two major cucurbit diseases prevalent in West Virginia, boosting market yield and improving financial returns.
West Virginia University – $44,648.00
WVU aims to identify genetic mutations linked to insecticide resistance in codling moths to help growers make informed decisions and improve pest management strategies.
Mountaineer Beekeepers Association – $11,359.56
The association will expand its Community-Based Honey Extraction Equipment Program statewide by adding five new kits and partnering with the West Virginia Farmers Market Association to enhance outreach, scheduling and long-term sustainability.
West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition – $74,998.27
The Coalition will pilot a comprehensive youth program in Pocahontas County that combines internships, curriculum development, year-round crop production and farmer-led education to enhance agricultural learning, entrepreneurship and local food system engagement for more than 500 students annually.
West Virginia Department of Agriculture – $43,263.63
WVDA will promote local specialty crops to consumers, retailers and restaurants through its WV Grown program with digital advertising, promotions, outreach, trainings and meetings.
West Virginia Department of Agriculture – $31,736.84
WVDA will support the state’s pumpkin specialty crop industry through agritourism marketing, developing materials for farmers and consumers, and promoting farm tours and signage.
Wheeling Park High School Agriculture Program – $19,194.62
The program will expand student learning in specialty crop production and sales by extending growing seasons, enhancing customer sales experiences and building an ADA-compliant outdoor garden in collaboration with the carpentry and special education departments.
The SCBGP is a USDA program that helps enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through partnerships with state departments of agriculture.
For more information, contact Maggie Blankenship at mblankenship@wvda.us or 304-558-2210.
