Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Dr. Troy Ott launched the young Center for Plant Excellence , an opening move aimed at progress inquiry , foundation , and business development in Pennsylvania ’s diverse , industrial plant - based ag sphere .
" This center will raise Pennsylvania ’s orbicular fight by combining forces of some of our strongest agriculture producer with our world - class land - grant university , " say Secretary Redding . " Penn State ’s deep well of expertise and innovative enquiry and the collective force of interrelated businesses will avail ensure that Pennsylvania stays at the cutting edge . This partnership is a bully chance to build a brighter future for the state ’s farmer , producer , and saving . "
The Penn State Southeast Research Center ( SEAREC ) is the university ’s hub for use field inquiry in south - cardinal Pennsylvania . SEAREC test and refines forward-looking estimate from Penn State labs before introducing them to local growers , supporting farm and ally industries with hard-nosed , inquiry - based solutions to boost productiveness and sustainability .
Forest products , decorative plants , apples , grapes , and other strong point food crop are among the intersection that secure Pennsylvania ’s position as a home agriculture leader . These and other plant life - free-base industry contribute an estimate $ 52.7 billion annually to our state saving , harmonise to the 2021 Pennsylvania Agriculture Economic Impact Study . Despite their life-sustaining economic persona , the state ’s plant life industries have lack a centralized , coordinated effort for growth and institution . The new Center for Plant Excellence will address this opening and leave the consecrate resources needed to accelerate advancements in flora science , output , and processing .
The center will focus on cardinal surface area , admit inquiry and maturation , supplying chain and securities industry development , new high - economic value product design , and consumer safety . Its feat will support a wide range of flora industries across Pennsylvania , from fruits and vegetables to specialty crops such as hemp , hops , and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree nuts , as well as bioproducts and biofuels . The Center will also provide critical base development for processing and young technologies that will push economical growing and enhance the sustainability of the state ’s plant industries .
" We are grateful for the leadership from the Department of Agriculture and Secretary Redding for allowing the College of Agricultural Sciences to administer the Center for Plant Excellence . The CPE reflects our shared commitment to advancing Pennsylvania ’s plant industry through research , collaboration , and strategical investiture , " said Dean Ott . " With quislingism between the College of Agricultural Sciences , Penn State Extension , and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture , we will ensure a healthy and vibrant future tense for growers , business , and community across the state . Pennsylvania ’s works industries trust on one another — thrive forests supply a groundwork for nurseries , while decorative plant support pollinators vital to agriculture . The Center for Plant Excellence heighten this web by encouraging excogitation and bringing industry experts together , ensuring adaptability , environmental stewardship , and live on economic prosperity . "
The center will leverage survive partnership with producer groups , academic institutions , and public and individual sphere stakeholders to create a comprehensive approach to improve plant production and processing . Funding for the center will affirm programming , partnerships , and statewide events aimed at advancing the works manufacture , and it will be manage by a board of director that admit diverse agricultural stakeholders .
The Center for Plant Excellence follows the success of the Commonwealth ’s be center for Animal Excellence , which have been essential in supporting the dairy farm , bitch , and poultry industries for years .
Source : Penn Watch
