AgTech Innovation News

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) recently launched the Agricultural Innovation Grant to help farmers and other agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable energy innovations – expanding their potential to generate profits, enrich soil and water resources, and produce energy on the farm.

The Agricultural Innovation Grant is a $10 Million investment in Pennsylvania's agricultural industry. It is one of the first in the nation to help farmers adopt new technologies to advance the agricultural industry. This program includes energy efficiency, biogas, biomass, and low-carbon energy projects. Grants will reimburse expenses for project planning and implementation. Applications must be submitted online through the Single Application for Assistance online application system before 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2024.

Eligible projects:
A person or cooperative association that utilizes innovation:
• to improve energy efficiency, improve water quality, reduce water consumption, reduce odors, or address solid waste concerns.
• to improve production, processing, commercialization, or utilization of agricultural commodities.
• that produces energy from agricultural sources, including manure, food waste, or biomass.
• equipment that provides low-carbon or no-carbon energy sources from agricultural commodities.
• technology that assists eligible applicants with managing their farms, including diagnostic tools and services.
• technology that assists a packer, processor, or cooperative in more efficient sorting, grading, or processing of agricultural commodities.
• that improves biosecurity or the health of plants or animals.
• that supports cybersecurity or data analytics.

Eligibility:
• A person who grows an agricultural commodity and has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 annually.
• A person who processes an agricultural commodity and has anticipated sales greater than $10,000 annually.
• A person who provides technical assistance or services to farmers for conservation, engineering, veterinary care, animal disease management, farm management, agricultural commodity production, nutrient management, or similar services.
• A person or cooperative association that utilizes agricultural commodities to create products or energy.

Application Requirements:
• Submission through the Single Application for Assistance online application system before 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2024.
• Project narrative.
• Project budget.
• Metrics for tracking success.

Credits/ Source:https://extension.psu.edu/