Agriculture Commis-sioner Todd Staples announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has secured and awarded more than $1.8 million in federal funding to farmers for promoting and developing Texas-grown specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The grants, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, are an investment in Texas agriculture and will help grow the industry.

“Specialty crops play a vital role in the diversity of our agricultural economy,” Commissioner Staples said. “The Texas Department of Agriculture is using these federal grants to fund projects that will give consumers increased access to locally grown Texas crops. These grants also will help producers improve their products while increasing competitiveness.”

With these federal funds, TDA is funding 17 projects covering several key areas, including: improved food safety; increased development of the specialty crops industry; increased marketing and promotion of Texas-grown produce; increased promotion and consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits of produce consumption; and increased protection of specialty crops.

For more information visit the TDA website.