USDA Grants More Than $19.6 Million to Protect California Crops and Natural Resources

Press Release

Media Contacts:
Cecilia Sequeira, 202-494-5083
k.cecilia.sequeira@usda.gov

Suzanne Bond, 301-538-9322
suzanne.m.bond@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, January 14, 2025 – California is set to receive over $19.6 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to combat invasive plant pests and diseases and protect the state’s vital agriculture and natural resources. This funding is part of a $70 million nationwide initiative supporting 357 projects across 49 states, Tribal lands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, authorized under the Plant Protection Act Section 7721.

“California’s agriculture plays a massive role in the U.S. economy, generating $24.7 billion in exports in 2022 alone,” said Mark Davidson, Deputy Administrator at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. “California leads the way in agricultural production. Protecting this industry is key to a strong national agricultural economy and secure food supply.” 

The funding will power a variety of projects in California aimed at stopping harmful pests and safeguarding plant health. Highlights include:

• $4.5 million to survey for invasive fruit flies;
• $4.1 million to support agricultural detector dog teams, which search for destructive invasive plant pests in mail facilities receiving international goods;
• $2 million to support state Emergency Plant Health Response teams in managing outbreaks of exotic plant pests;
• $749,000 to survey for threats to stone fruit commodities, including the black fig fly; 
• $430,000 to survey for threats to grape commodities; 
• $415,000 million to support National Clean Plant Network foundation plant stocks free from economically damaging diseases;
• $400,000 to survey for Asian defoliator moths;
• $230,000 to conduct outreach on citrus pests and diseases; and much more.

These efforts are part of a broader mission to ensure U.S. agriculture thrives in the face of new challenges. Since 2009, USDA has invested nearly $940 million in more than 5,800 projects to detect and respond to invasive plant pests and diseases quickly. This work also ensures specialty crop producers have access to certified, disease-free plants.

For a full list of projects funded in California and nationwide, visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website (562.47 KB).