USDA Grants More Than $1.8 Million to Protect Washington State 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 – Washington is set to receive more than $1.8 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.

“Washington has more than 32,000 farms, a majority of which are family owned. In 2022, the state exported $4.1 billion of agricultural products to the world,” said USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “These projects will help Washington protect its resources and contribute to keeping our nation’s agricultural economy strong.”

The funding will support projects covering a range of plant health protection activities, including, but not limited to:

• $1,221,030 to support National Clean Plant Network foundation plant stocks for multiple crops;
• $280,000 to survey for invasive defoliating moths;
• $210,278 to survey certified nurseries for little cherry disease;
• $150,000 to survey for invasive pests to protect the stone fruit commodity;
• $135,000 to support the Exotic Pest Screening Center;
• $125,000 to survey for invasive mollusks;
• $120,000 to survey for grape pests;
• $116,876 to support invasive pest outreach in Washington State; and
• $119,490 to support monitoring for the spongy moth.

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