DeLauro Praises USDA Grant to Help Local Specialty Crop Farmers

Washington, DC –Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), Chairwoman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement on enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.

54 block grants totaling $55 million, administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, were announced today, including $445,339 for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

"These funds will help to support the competitiveness of specialty crops throughout the country, and especially our local horticulture and nursery crop farmers in Connecticut, who are such a large part of the state's agriculture economy. These farmers be able to market their products in a global marketplace and will encourage American consumers to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "Our local specialty crop farmers will greatly benefit from these funds, and our local citizens will have better access to these crops, and their patronage will help to support our local economy. It is truly a win-win situation for our communities, and I look forward to seeing the positive results."