USDA Grants More Than $1.5 Million to Protect Idaho 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 - Idaho is set to receive more than $1.5 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.

“Idaho has about 11.5 million acres of farmland, and Idaho potatoes alone contributed more than $1.3 billion to the local economy in 2023,” said USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “Protecting Idaho’s agriculture is vital to the state and our national agricultural economy. These projects will help Idaho protect its harvests, which will also safeguard our national food security.”

The funding will support projects covering a range of plant health protection activities, including:

• $800,000 toward developing pale cyst nematode immunity;
• $455,533 to support the Nez Perce Tribe’s effort to produce and release biological controls on their lands as part of their integrated weed management strategy, and distribute biocontrol agents to partners within the region; and
• $309,366 to support potato cyst nematode research.

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 Idaho and nationwide, visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website (562.47 KB).