OLYMPIA, Wash. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Washington state over $4 million to boost specialty crops in 2025.

This funding, through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program, aims to support plants used for food, medicinal purposes and decoration.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) received $4.2 million in grant funding for 19 projects.

Washington State University (WSU) is one of the beneficiaries, with grants supporting the WSU Bee Program to develop a video series on Varroa destructor management for beekeepers.

Other projects focus on enhancing food safety, improving produce quality and expanding markets for Washington’s specialty crops.

"The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is vital for the growth and sustainability of Washington’s diverse agr

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