Virginia awards $610,350 in specialty crop grants – FreshPlaza

Virginia Allocates Federal Funding to Advance Sustainable Specialty Crop Production

A total of $610,350 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has been designated for seven projects in Virginia. The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the state’s specialty crop sector, which includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and horticultural products. This investment directly supports the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing food production, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by improving farm income and supporting local agricultural economies.

Program Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) administered the grant selection, prioritizing proposals that align with sustainable development principles. The core objectives of the program are designed to foster innovation (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and promote responsible production patterns (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production). Key priorities included:

• Supporting transitions into specialty crop production.
• Improving farm income through value-added activities.
• Expanding market opportunities for local producers.
• Establishing pilot or demonstration programs with potential for broader application in sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of Funded Projects and SDG Contributions

The seven selected projects focus on critical areas of research, disease management, innovative production systems, and market development, each contributing to specific Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Cleaner Water, Healthier Crops

   • Institution: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
   • Project Scope: Researchers will test floating treatment wetlands and other methods to reduce Phytophthora capsici contamination in irrigation water.
   • SDG Contribution: This project directly addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by improving the quality of water for agriculture and contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by developing methods to prevent crop disease and secure food production.

2. Grow Your Own Training Program

   • Institution: Appalachian Sustainable Development, Duffield
   • Project Scope: The program will provide beginner and intermediate growers with raised beds, seeds, tools, and technical assistance for specialty crop production.
   • SDG Contribution: This initiative supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by increasing local food production capacity and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by providing skills and economic opportunities in agriculture.

3. Clubroot Management in Brassica Vegetables

   • Institution: Virginia Tech, Eastern Shore AREC, Painter
   • Project Scope: The project will evaluate irrigation water risks, test disease control strategies, and assess cabbage cultivars for susceptibility to clubroot.
   • SDG Contribution: This research aims to build agricultural resilience, a key target of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), by developing sustainable methods to manage crop diseases and reduce crop loss.

4. Soilless Strawberry Production Assessment

   • Institution: Virginia Tech, Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Beach
   • Project Scope: Researchers will study substrate-based strawberry production using sustainable blends of peat, bark, biochar, perlite, and wood fiber.
   • SDG Contribution: This project promotes SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by exploring innovative, resource-efficient agricultural systems that reduce reliance on traditional soil-based farming.

5. Plant Growth Regulator Applications in Apples

   • Institution: Virginia Tech, Winchester AREC
   • Project Scope: The project will investigate plant growth regulator strategies to balance apple coloration, reduce pre-harvest drop, and improve post-harvest quality.
   • SDG Contribution: By enhancing crop quality and reducing food loss at the production stage, this project aligns with targets under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

6. IPM Program for Cabbage and Broccoli

   • Institution: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
   • Project Scope: Research will focus on integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, including mating disruption, to reduce insecticide use and manage diamondback moth populations.
   • SDG Contribution: This initiative is a clear example of advancing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by minimizing chemical inputs and protecting terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

7. Evaluating Bok Choy for Controlled Environment Agriculture

   • Institution: Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Danville
   • Project Scope: Trials will test Bok Choy cultivars in hydroponic systems to assess their suitability as a controlled-environment crop for small- and mid-sized producers.
   • SDG Contribution: This research supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by adapting new crops to controlled environment agriculture, which can enhance local food security and contribute to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several initiatives funded by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in Virginia. These projects, focused on agricultural research, innovation, and sustainability, connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core of the article is about enhancing the production and competitiveness of specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, etc.), which directly relates to promoting sustainable agriculture and improving food production.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The “Cleaner Water, Healthier Crops” project specifically addresses water quality by aiming to reduce contamination in irrigation water.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The grants aim to support the agricultural sector by improving farm income and expanding market opportunities, which contributes to economic productivity and growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: All seven funded projects are centered on scientific research, development, and the application of innovative technologies and practices in agriculture, from soilless production to integrated pest management.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Several projects promote sustainable agricultural practices, such as the IPM program designed to reduce insecticide use and the research into managing water contamination, aligning with the goal of environmentally sound management of chemicals.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The project focused on integrated pest management to reduce insecticide use directly contributes to protecting terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity from chemical pollution.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details of the funded projects and the program’s goals, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article mentions the program’s focus on “improving farm income” and one project specifically evaluates crops for “small- and mid-sized producers.”
2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The projects on soilless strawberry production, clubroot management, and integrated pest management are all examples of implementing more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.
3. Target 2.a: Increase investment… in agricultural research and extension services… to enhance agricultural productive capacity. The article is entirely about the allocation of federal funds ($610,350) for agricultural research projects and explicitly mentions that findings will be shared through “grower outreach and extension materials.”
4. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution. The “Cleaner Water, Healthier Crops” project directly addresses this by testing methods to “reduce Phytophthora capsici contamination in irrigation water.”
5. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The program supports “transitions into specialty crop production” (diversification) and funds research into innovative systems like “soilless strawberry production” and “hydroponic systems.”
6. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation. The funding of seven distinct research projects at institutions like Virginia Tech exemplifies the effort to enhance scientific research and innovation in the agricultural sector.
7. Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals… and significantly reduce their release to… water and soil. The IPM program for cabbage and broccoli aims to “reduce insecticide use,” which directly aligns with this target.
8. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats. By aiming to reduce insecticide use, the IPM project helps mitigate a key driver of biodiversity loss and habitat degradation for non-target species like pollinators.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Amount of public investment in agricultural research: The article explicitly states the funding amount of “$610,350 in federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding,” which serves as a direct indicator for Target 2.a.
• Reduction in chemical contaminants: The IPM project’s goal to “reduce insecticide use” provides a measurable indicator for Target 12.4. Progress can be tracked by measuring the volume of insecticides used by participating growers.
• Water quality measurement: The “Cleaner Water, Healthier Crops” project implies a direct indicator for Target 6.3: the measured levels of “Phytophthora capsici contamination in irrigation water” before and after the implementation of new treatment methods.
• Adoption of new technologies/practices: The number of growers adopting practices developed from the research (e.g., soilless production, IPM strategies, new crop varieties) can serve as an indicator for Targets 2.4 and 8.2. The dissemination of findings through “field days and publications” is a precursor to this.
• Number of research and development initiatives: The article identifies “seven projects” being funded, which is a clear indicator of activity towards enhancing scientific research and innovation (Target 9.5).
• Farm income and productivity: While not quantified, the stated goal of “improving farm income” implies that changes in the income and productivity of specialty crop producers would be a key indicator for Target 2.3.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: freshplaza.com