Christie Administration awarded federal grant funds to promote Garden State crops
Christie Administration awarded federal grant funds to promote Garden State crops
The Christie Administration has received a $707,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant to fund 11 initiatives to benefit Garden State crops such as fruits and vegetables, as well as horticulture and nursery.
The grants are part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s efforts to promote specialty crops in the nation and stimulate food and agriculturally based community economic and development. Specialty crops account for $907 million in sales annually in the Garden State.
“This federal funding will go a long way to educating and promoting the benefits of produce and plants grown in the Garden State,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “One example provides funds for 20 new school gardens that will teach children about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and how we grow our food.”
Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, nursery crops and floriculture. Most of New Jersey agriculture falls into the specialty crop category.
