The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded nearly $1 million in grant funding to advance the California agave industry

[Erik Owens]

“USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is investing $23.1 million to support 44 projects across California this year,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “As we look to expand the competitiveness of the specialty crop sector, we also see the value of funding research for potential new crops to help growers adapt to climate change and develop successful marketing strategies. The California Agave Council is well positioned with research partners and innovative growers to bring a new high-value specialty crop to market and I wish them well.”

The California Agave Council has received $498,404 to provide technical assistance and training to agave farmers. This grant will enable the Council to:

• Develop a comprehensive report summarizing current agave research.
• Produce bilingual training materials for agave farmers.
• Create a web-based toolkit featuring instructional videos.
• Host more frequent and enhanced educational events, including our annual symposium.

In addition, UC Davis has been awarded a separate $491,288 grant for agave research. This project will complement the Council's efforts by focusing on outreach, engaging with growers and distillers, sharing research findings, and promoting agave as a sustainable crop alternative suitable for California's changing climate.

The CDFA's significant investment in the California agave industry underscores the state's commitment to supporting innovative and sustainable agricultural practices. This funding would not have been possible without the support of our members, whose contributions enabled the Council to invest the time and hire the team to write and submit a successful grant proposal. We extend our sincere thanks to all our members for their continued support of this growing industry and the Council's efforts. 

Stay tuned for updates on regional events this fall, our next annual symposium, and more.

To read more click here to visit the California Agave Announcement. 

Contact: Alec Wasson, Alec@CaliforniaAgave.org