Capitol News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) today introduced bipartisan legislation with widespread stakeholder support to bolster Michigan specialty crops. Endorsed by 11 Michigan agriculture organizations from across the state, the Specialty Crop Security Act would expand and enhance the current Specialty Crop Block Grant program (SCBGP), which provides dedicated federal assistance grants to specialty crop growers through state agriculture departments for a wide array of projects. 

Specialty crops – which include fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts, among other critical products – represent a significant portion of Michigan’s agricultural output and are critical to the state economy. The Specialty Crop Security Act is cosponsored by Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5) and would: 

• increase funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by $15 million to $100 million a year;
• strengthen state plan requirements to ensure grant administrators properly communicate their stakeholder outreach and engagement efforts; and
• reinforce the program's primary purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop producers.

“From apples, to asparagus, to cherries, Michigan farmers grow much of the delicious and nutritious produce Americans love and depend on,” said Slotkin. “By expanding grant opportunities for specialty crop growers, this legislation will benefit Michigan agriculture and consumers. Expanding specialty crop markets and ensuring the long-term success of producers will pay serious dividends, which is why this bill has been endorsed by 11 different Michigan agriculture organizations from across the state and industry.”

“Over 170 different specialty crops are grown in Oregon’s vibrant Willamette Valley, and I’m honored to represent many of these producers. They are responsible for growing a variety of healthy and nutritious food that feeds families across the country and around the world. Unfortunately, specialty crop growers often face a number of unique and challenging conditions that make it more difficult to remain competitive in the global marketplace. That’s why I’m joining Congresswoman Slotkin to introduce the Specialty Crop Security Act, which will help bolster Oregon’s robust specialty crop industry,” said Chavez-DeRemer.

Since it was first authorized in 2004, the SCBGP has funded 11,331 projects totaling nearly $1 billion. Its operations have supported the long-term success of U.S. producers and broadened the market for specialty crops at home and abroad.

As the specialty crop industry confronts new and existing challenges, increased funding for the SCPBG would strengthen the program to the benefit of growers in Michigan and across the country. 

ENDORSEMENTS

This legislation is endorsed by the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Apple Committee, Michigan Asparagus Association, Michigan Vegetable Council, Michigan Potato Council, Michigan Bean Commission, U.S. Apple Association, North American Blueberry Council, and Cherry Marketing Institute.

"The fact that there are over 13 current Specialty Crop Block Grant projects focused on Michigan's vegetable industry shows the need for the program. The fact that some submitted did not make the cut shows there is currently more need than funding. The thousands of Michigan vegetable growers need to receive the outreach from these grants. Therefore any strengthening of the administrative tasks used to make sure the outreach is successful are welcomed. Michigan's Vegetable Council is thankful for the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and Congresswoman Slotkin for putting forth this new legislation,” said Greg Bird, Executive Director, Michigan Vegetable Council.

“This proposal is great news for Michigan, providing a boost to research and promotion of specialty crops that are an integral part of Michigan agriculture,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “Specialty crop production contributes to a resilient, diverse Michigan agricultural economy, and leads to additional commercial opportunities for rural businesses, so we welcome this new effort by Congresswoman Slotkin to grow the Specialty Crop Block Grant program.”

“Funds from Specialty Crop Block Grants have had a tremendous impact on our consumer outreach efforts on behalf of the Michigan Apple industry. With this funding, we have been able to cultivate a strong online presence, reaching our target consumers where they are – online. The grants have also provided us with advertising and marketing opportunities that have helped us differentiate Michigan Apples in the marketplace. Specialty Crop Block Grant funding is a critical component of the Farm Bill. As the second-most agriculturally diverse state in the U.S., Michigan has long been known for great agricultural representation at the federal level. We are grateful to Congresswoman Slotkin not only for her recognition and support of specialty crops, but also her efforts to protect and support farmers and the nation’s food supply,” said Diane Smith, Executive Director, Michigan Apple Committee.

“We commend Representatives Slotkin and Chavez-DeRemer for their commitment to strengthen the U.S. specialty crop community. Improvements to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program will ensure growers have access to projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. apples,” said Jim Bair, President and CEO, U.S. Apple Association.

"The North American Blueberry Council applauds Representatives Slotkin and Chavez-DeRemer for their leadership on the Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has funded critically important projects to the U.S. Blueberry industry, including the development of Integrated Pest Management Programs for harmful pests and diseases. However, due to funding limitations, worthwhile projects that support the competitiveness of blueberry producers have gone unfunded. This bill not only addresses persistent funding limitations, it further strengthens the program by ensuring funds are directed toward projects that address the needs and priorities of producers," said Kasey Cronquist, President, North American Blueberry Council.

“The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) is a national research and promotion organization that works on behalf of Michigan, Utah, and Wisconsin cherry growers. Michigan produces 75% of the tart cherry supply for the U.S. CMI is extremely grateful for the Specialty Crop Grant Program (SCBGP). These funds leveraged with grower assessments provide an opportunity to expand our mission to showcase U.S. grown cherries on a global platform to boost competitiveness and fund research projects to protect our crop from pests and diseases. The competitiveness and demand of the SCBGP funding has drastically increased over the years and this new bipartisan legislation to increase the SCBGP funding would be a tremendous asset for all specialty crop growers,” said Julie Gordon, President of Cherry Marketing Institute.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant program is especially important because those grants have allowed the potato industry to dig in and learn more about the people who eat potatoes, provide information people are seeking, conduct research programs, and help people to access our product. Potatoes are just one of the specialty crops in Michigan that add tremendous value to the state and region by providing healthy food along with a large positive economic impact. SCBGs provide an opportunity for the individual potato growers to be able to advertise their products on the scale of a national brand, something that an individual farmer could not finance on their own,” said Kelly Turner, Executive Director, Michigan Potato Council.

“We want to thank Congresswoman Slotkin for proposing this funding increase for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program that has been successfully used by the asparagus industry for many years,” said Jamie Clover Adams of the Michigan Asparagus Association. “Michigan’s asparagus growers continue to face escalating labor costs, cheap imports and increasing pest and disease pressure that challenge their ability to provide this nutritious vegetable to American consumers.  The Association views this proposed funding increase as one part of a larger strategy needed to ensure we can continue to grow asparagus in Michigan.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant program has been a critical Farm Bill tool for Michigan farmers and commodity groups. Whether it’s helping the blueberry and tart cherry industries research how the Samba Wasp can help control Spotted-Wing Drosophila, the greenhouse industry limit losses from Downy Mildew, the dry bean industry research reach health-conscious consumers, or supporting the Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT campaign, the SCBG program is working well, and this legislation will increase the reach of the program and help our farmers remain competitive,” said John Kran, National Legislative Counsel, Michigan Farm Bureau.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program plays a crucial role in advancing Michigan’s dry bean industry, from tackling emerging challenges facing growers, to sharing the incredible nutritional benefits of beans with consumers,” said Joe Cramer, Executive Director of the Michigan Bean Commission. “Michigan’s dry bean farm families work hard to supply sustainable, nutritious beans for people around the world. We appreciate Congresswoman Slotkin for strengthening this program that helps dry bean farmers get the job done.”

“Dry bean farmers are proud to have earned our strong reputation across the globe as producers of the highest quality beans, and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has helped keep us on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Greg Ackerman, a 4th-generation farmer in Vassar, MI and past chairman of the Michigan Bean Commission. “With her proposal to strengthen the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Congresswoman Slotkin is helping position dry bean farmers for success in the years ahead, and we thank her for leading the way on this effort.”

Original source can be found here.