By Blake Jackson
Climate change poses significant challenges to farmers, including unpredictable weather, shortened seasons, and increased pest and disease threats. To address these issues and help farmers adapt, the "Pennsylvania Partners for Climate Smart Commodities Summit" brought together diverse stakeholders to explore innovative solutions.
This gathering, held at Penn State University Park and focusing on Pennsylvania's vital dairy sector, was organized by the College of Agricultural Sciences. Participants included recipients of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative, a $3.1 billion program aimed at expanding markets for climate-friendly agricultural products and supporting small and underserved producers.
Matt Royer, director of the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center, emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and the USDA in advancing climate-smart agriculture. He highlighted the summit's role in fostering collaboration and understanding towards "smarter, more strategic cooperation" in the future.
Penn State itself is leading a project titled "Climate-smart Agriculture that is Profitable, Regenerative, Actionable, and Trustworthy." This initiative, funded by the USDA and developed in collaboration with industry partners, focuses on dairy farms due to their economic significance, potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction, and carbon sequestration capabilities. Project leader Armen Kemanian explained the team's focus on reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions through feed and nutrient management, as well as storing carbon through reduced tillage and cover crops.
The two-day summit covered various topics related to climate-smart dairy farming, including market trends, carbon markets, funding opportunities, and monitoring practices. Breakout sessions facilitated collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants.
Blair Siegfried, associate dean for research at Penn State, emphasized the summit's value in building relationships and fostering dialogue. He stressed the college's commitment to supporting environmentally responsible practices like no-till production and the importance of collaborative research and solutions for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders and exploring innovative approaches, the summit highlighted the potential of climate-smart agriculture to support Pennsylvania's dairy industry and ensure its long-term viability in the face of a changing climate.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-tlillico
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy