Federal funding contained in Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved federal funding for several Pennsylvania agriculture projects. The projects are contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.
“These programs will strengthen the state’s agricultural industry by developing innovative technologies to improve production and management of Pennsylvania’s farms,” Senator Specter said. “Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s number one industry, and I applaud my Congressional colleagues for funding these agricultural projects that are fundamental to keeping Pennsylvania’s economy strong.”
“Agriculture is an essential part of Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Senator Casey. “This funding will give our agriculture industry a much needed boost while developing new technologies for our farmers and I thank my colleagues for approving these projects.”
The bill must be approved by the full Senate, the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President before funding is final.
Pennsylvania projects in the bill include:
• $821,000 for Penn State University in State College for milk safety and research into programs that will allow dairy producers to reduce food borne pathogens at the farm level, new technologies for processors that will contribute to economic sustainability, and improvements in the supply chain that will ensure continued delivery of a high quality, affordable and safe product to consumers.
• $372,000 for Penn State University in State College for improved dairy management practices. Funding will support vital research into the areas of animal health programs, the economics of dairy farming, risk analysis and technology.
• $340,000 for the Pennsylvania Centers for Dairy and Beef Excellence in Harrisburg to provide producers across the state with the technical and financial assistance needed to improve on-farm profitability. Funding supports a variety of technical assistance programs that support increased profitability.
• $248,000 for Penn State University in State College for farm and community educational programs, the primary focus of which is to assist small farmers in developing and maintaining economically viable enterprises and helping build community capacity to sustain growth and development of local agriculture and food sectors.
• $223,000 for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in Harrisburg for the Cooperative Livestock Protection Program which provides Pennsylvania agriculture producers statewide with technical and operational assistance in identifying, controlling and abating damage and economic loss caused by certain nuisance wildlife species.
• $164,000 for Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania to support the activities of the Aquaculture Research Center. The initiative seeks to develop a sustainable aquaculture production, especially in areas where farmland is scarce.
• $142,000 for the Rodale Institute in Berks County, through a partnership with Pennsylvania State University, for collaborative research trials to provide science-based alternatives to assist farmers with the adoption of more sustainable farming practices.
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