Adam Putnam: USDA Block Grants Helping 40 Projects Across Florida

On Thursday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced 40 projects across the Sunshine State will receive $4 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture through block grants. 

“By partnering with the USDA to help identify and fund innovative projects by Florida’s universities and community organizations, we can better support our state’s $123 billion agriculture industry,” Putnam said. “This will advance our mission to protect Florida agriculture from invasive pests and disease and more efficiently share our abundance with the communities that need it the most.”
 
The grants will go to improve crop safety and  help research across the state. Funded projects include efforts to improve crop safety at farmers’ markets, lowering distribution costs, marketing the state’s specialty crops and sending more local produce options to schools.