New Funding Opportunity from PA Dept. of Agriculture

The PA Department of Agriculture and the PA State Conservation Commission have opened a new agriculture research grant program.

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The funding opportunity is categorized as an Agricultural Conservation Research Grant. The solicitation is looking for projects that will span from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with the possibility of extending funding into subsequent years.

Research Topic Areas

The Department is particularly interested in funding conservation research projects related to:

Mushroom Industry Emissions

• Identify the sources of nuisance emissions in the mushroom industry and best mitigation practices that are applicable to operations in this Commonwealth.

• Quantify emissions from the mushroom industry and measure the impact of best practices that are deployed.

Manure Treatment Technologies (MTT)

• Quantify the impact of MTT on water quality, including traceability of nutrients as they are processed. Additionally, provide recommendations for best available technology or best practices, or both, to improve MTT utilization.

Climate Impact of Farming

Effectiveness of Land Remediation Practices

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Application are due Friday, June 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. Questions regarding this online application process may be directed to Michael Roth, Director of Conservation and Innovation for the Department, at (717) 787-6257. The full solicitation can be viewed here on the PA government's official bulletin.

Stakeholder Engagement Initiative from PAIHE

The Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Engine (PAIHE), a National Science Foundation sponsored project, was established last year to develop a robust industrial hemp ecosystem centered in Pennsylvania’s I-81 Corridor, built upon self-sustaining collaborative research and demonstration programs addressing plant genetics, bioengineering, crop production and processing, consumer and industrial product development, manufacturing, distribution, and reclamation.

To expand and deepen stakeholder engagement, the PAIHE is now convening regular stakeholder engagement meetings. The aims of the stakeholder meetings are to:

• Inform stakeholders about the activities of the PAIHE within areas of interest

• Obtain input and direction from stakeholders about PAIHE directions and priorities

• Expand the number of stakeholders participating in the PAIHE
  

Stakeholder engagement meetings will be held regularly from 11:00 - 1:00 on Tuesdays and will be held via zoom to promote participation. Separate monthly meetings will focus on each of the primary PAIHE activity areas: Production and Processing, Consumer and Industrial Product Development, and Economic Development and Public Policy.

All meetings will be separately announced, and agendas will be provided in advance. Meetings are open to all and will be recorded. Attendance is free. To register for a meeting and obtain the zoom link, please visit paihe.org/stakeholders or send an email message to Ariel Matz at amatz@vpsresearch.org.

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.