YAKIMA -- The state Department of Agriculture announced today that several agricultural organizations will receive federal assistance to increase the competitiveness of products grown in the Yakima Valley and throughout the state.

Under the federal farm bill that was approved earlier this year, states received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The recipients, including some that received multiple grants, will share about $324,000.

Organizations receiving grants include several that will benefit Yakima Valley agricultural products:

* The Washington Apple Commission in Wenatchee received $29,500 to increase sales in India by training wholesalers and retailers on how to handle, display, and store perishable products.

* The Washington State Fruit Commission in Yakima received $25,000 to educate Mexican consumers about Washington apricots and to conduct a marketing program there. It also received $20,000 to conduct a consumer-focused marketing program to increase sales of Washington cherries in Mexico.

* Pear Bureau Northwest, located in the Portland area, received $7,500 to produce a series of short videos showcasing pear growers from Washington's Wenatchee, Yakima, and mid-Columbia pear-growing regions.

* Washington State University received $44,241 to develop a microbial food safety risk assessment, collect data and conduct educational outreach to the apple industry.

-- Mai Hoang