On January 26, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding  announced $2.232 million in funding for research proposals on issues critical to sustaining and growing Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

Funded projects will address complex challenges ranging from reducing impacts of climate change and measuring soil and water conservation, to tackling emerging animal care issues, and developing plant-based solutions to reduce threats to human health.

Grants awarded include--

-- Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Harrisburg and Philadelphia – $100,000: Advanced Analysis & Reporting for Farm Soil Conservation, Financial Viability, and Nutrient Density – Project aims to continue ongoing benchmark studies to assist Pennsylvania farmers with tools to assess their soil health, set management goals, and track progress toward improving the long-term health of their soil and farm profitability.

-- Rodale Institute, Berks County – $500,000: Funding will support the institute's groundbreaking research and training programs in organic and regenerative agriculture.

-- TeamAg, Inc., Lancaster County - $75,000: This project will assist farms with designs and technical assistance to implement climate smart practices that mitigate emissions, make sound decisions on the implementation of solar photovoltaic power systems in grazing areas, and provide additional revenue opportunities.

-- Pennsylvania State University Center for Agricultural and Shale Law – $100,000

-- Pennsylvania State University Agriculture and Environment Center – $500,000

-- Pennsylvania State University -- $75,000: Project to minimize the loss of prime agricultural land, this research project will identify marginal lands across Pennsylvania that could be suitable for solar energy production and determine best management practices for solar farms to implement on those marginal lands that benefit soil, water, and vegetation.

-- Temple University - $75,000: Research on the spotted lanternfly (SLF) invasion to produce models and risk maps to better understand how the types of locations, landscape variables, and control methods influence the distribution of SLF, in order to build prediction models that will aid in the control efforts of the invasive insect.

-- Temple University - $60,000: A study to analyze the role invasive plants play in contributing to the high rates of ticks infected with human pathogens, including Lyme disease, to help inform control strategies.

"Investing in research is the first critical step toward solving today's most costly and complex challenges, and developing innovative solutions to tomorrow's challenges," Secretary Redding said. "Pennsylvania-based research institutions are on the cutting edge of exciting developments in organic and regenerative agriculture, and in imagining the technology we need to continue to be a national and world agriculture leader. Governor Josh Shapiro has declared agriculture to be a 'pillar of opportunity' in Pennsylvania's economy. These research investments are just one more way the Shapiro Administration is delivering on promises to support the growth of our industry."

Click Here for the complete announcement.

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[Posted: January 26, 2023]

1/29/2024