Celebrate National Bio-Based Products Day

Join the PA Hemp Steering Committee in celebrating the second annual National Bio-Based Products Day. Submit pictures and descriptions of bio-based products manufactured in PA via the form below to be featured on the Committee Blog!

Submission Form

National Biobased Products Day is an annual date designed to raise awareness of biobased products—how they're made, what they're made from, their many benefits, and the wide variety of products available for use at home, in the office, on the playground, at construction sites and even in landscaping.

National Biobased Products Day is a collective effort and opportunity for all of us within the bioeconomy to bring attention to the great work being done to improve sustainability, grow U.S. manufacturing, jobs and the bioeconomy, and benefit rural communities.

You can read more on the USDA BioPreferred website here.

Grant Opportunity in Hemp for 2023

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites proposals for $460,000 in Pennsylvania Specialty Crop Block Grants, created under the PA Farm Bill in 2019 and funded a fourth time in 2022-23. Eligible projects stimulate market growth and advance the competitive position of crops designated as high priority for their potential to feed Pennsylvania’s economy and boost environmental sustainability. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.

The purpose of the Commonwealth Specialty Crop program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a grant program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Crops identified as high priority crops are hemp, honey, hardwood, and hops. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed, and marketing of these eligible specialty crops.

In a press release, Secretary Redding stated,

"These PA Farm Bill grants are strategic investments in Pennsylvania’s future...Pennsylvania hardwoods supply the world with sustainable, quality building materials. Fiber hemp restores soil and sources sustainable materials from plastics and clothing to construction materials and auto parts. Hops and brewing grains are critical to our top-ranking craft brewing industry. These products are feeding our progress.”

Previously funded projects include assessing disease impacts on hemp, protecting hardwoods from spotted lanternflies, teaching brewing crop techniques, teaching grading and selection of hardwood lumber, assessing the environmental impacts of hemp, and promoting green jobs in the forest products industry.

A summary of eligibility and potential uses of funding can be found at agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill. Full grant guidelines can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin Saturday, October 29 edition. Project proposals must be received by 5:00 PM on December 2, 2022.

Proposals must be submitted through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Electronic Single Application. Applicants with questions about eligible projects or procedures should contact Lauren Stackhouse at lastackhou@pa.gov or 717.614.5730.

Jefferson Students Investigate Hemp Bioplastic

Researchers in the College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce at Thomas Jefferson University share their progress in formulating hemp-PLA composites. Through partnerships with PA-based companies and funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Kander Research Group seeks to build a local supply chain for sustainable and biodegradable plastic manufacturing.

Recently featured at TJU's Celebration of Innovation, Lexi Patania, Maggie Riley, Ashley Clark, and Gabriella Fioravanti explain what motivates their work: