Pennsylvania farms get boost to combat climate change

By Blake Jackson

Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector is set to gain resilience against extreme weather linked to climate change, supported by $40.8 million in federal grants.

These funds, sourced from the federal Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), aim to strengthen rural economies while promoting sustainable farming practices.

A significant portion of the funds, $19.6 million, is allocated to the National Hemp Association to cultivate hemp across 5,000 acres in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

This initiative promotes sustainable practices such as contour farming, crop rotation, cover cropping, nutrient management, and no-till farming.

According to the association, these methods are expected to reduce nutrient runoff, pesticide contamination, and soil erosion while enhancing the health of ecosystems. More details about participation will be shared after the USDA finalizes its partnership agreement.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is set to lead a $21.2 million project aimed at helping dairy farmers cut greenhouse gas emissions, which account for 62% of the state’s agricultural emissions.

Livestock, such as cows and sheep, and their manure release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The program, spanning five years, will offer financial and technical support to farmers.

The FDA recently approved additives that lower methane emissions from cows during digestion. Farmers will also receive assistance with manure management strategies, including the use of methane digesters that capture gas to produce energy.

These grants are part of the USDA’s $1.5 billion nationwide allocation to 92 projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which supports conservation and climate-smart agriculture. Practices such as planting trees alongside crops, using cover crops, and reducing soil disturbance are key strategies.

Highlighting the broader benefits, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted, “There’s just a whole series of rippling effects to investing in soil health [and] water quality: recreation, conservation, rural job growth, a stronger Pennsylvania economy, which benefits at the end of the day everybody.”

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