The US Highbush Blueberry Council is awarded US$1.3m from the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program
The US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has been awarded US$1.3m from the US Department of Food and Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), to expand export opportunities for the country’s blueberries.
“We applaud secretary Tom Vilsack, undersecretary Alexis Taylor, and the Senate Agriculture Committee for their visionary leadership in creating the RAPP program,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC.
“Their support for expanding global markets is invaluable to the agricultural industry and this allocation will undoubtedly foster growth, innovation, and sustainability for our blueberry growers as we work to carry out our vision to empower the industry to make blueberries the world’s favourite fruit.”
USDA’s RAPP announced US$300m in funding in its first year to support eligible projects that enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets.
The USHBC was one of several non-profit US agricultural trade organisations, non-profit State Regional Trade Groups, US agricultural cooperatives and state agencies awarded funds from RAPP.
