Close to $3 million in grant money is being awarded to 16 agricultural researchers to develop more sustainable methods for growing strawberries.
The project is funded by the Walmart Foundation and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability is administering the awards. Winners were announced Wednesday.
The competitive grants drew 56 proposals from 29 states. Officials say the goal is to increase local and regional production of strawberries and limit environmental impact. That includes reducing transportation between farm and buyers and reducing product loss while in the supply chain.
Organizers say the projects will provide a basis for improving sustainability in the U.S. strawberry production