The Department of Agriculture this week announced a series of research grants which, in part, will look at ways of reducing the environmental impact of agriculture operations or convert waste products to energy sources on farms.

The Agriculture Research Project Review Committee approved the funding for the following projects related to environmental issues:

Beneficial Use of Spent Mushroom Substrate ($50,000) – The Community Awareness Committee of the American Mushroom Institute plans to improve the profitability of mushroom farms by turning used compost into value-added products, mulch and fertilizers.

Best Management Practices for Vegetative Filters to Reduce Dust, Odor and Respiratory Virus Transmission from Commercial Poultry Farms ($12,998) – Penn State will evaluate the use of deciduous and evergreen trees as natural filters for poultry farms.

Foam Mulch for Organic Weed Control ($9,500) – Penn State will evaluate shredded paper foam mulch to control weeds and its effect on soil temperature, soil moisture and parasites.

Fodder Beets: A Feedstock for PA Alternative Energy Ethanol Production ($17,122) – Penn State will establish test plots of fodder beets to produce ethanol.

Levels of Nutritional Minerals in Free Ranging Elk Grazing on Reclaimed Strip Mines ($850) – The Penn State study will establish diagnostic reference values for interpreting elk hepatic trace mineral concentrations and assess copper status relative to reclaimed strip mine grazing.

Poultry Litter as a Fuel Source for Poultry Growers ($25,280) – Penn State will evaluate using poultry litter as an on-farm fuel source.

11/3/2006