Lehigh Times

Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Richard Roush met with researchers whose projects have benefited from the nearly $1 million in investments by the Wolf administration.

This investment is aimed at strengthening competitiveness for Pennsylvania specialty crops.

The researchers have projects benefiting pollinator health and promoting competitiveness of the state’s honey. The State Specialty Crop Block Grants fund specialty crops that aren’t eligible under the federal specialty crop program. High-priority crops in the state include hemp, hops, hardwoods and honey. For distilling, brewing and malting, high priority-crops include barley, rye and wheat. 

“Pollinators are critical to the success of Pennsylvania agriculture; one out of every three bites we eat is thanks to pollinators," Redding told the Official Pennsylvania Website. “Honey bees are a critical part of that narrative, but they are also key to growing new markets for specialty crops. Supporting honey research and promotion through the Pennsylvania Specialty Crop Block Grant allows the commonwealth to grow its honey market while simultaneously supporting research that will benefit pollinator health, and in return, all of Pennsylvania agriculture.”

The Grozinger Lab is part of the Penn State College of Agriculture Science Center for Pollinator Research and received money through the PA Specialty Crop Block Grant, which is part of Gov. Tom Wolf’s (D) Pennsylvania Farm Bill.

The purpose of the block grant is competitiveness of Pennsylvania honey in the marketplace through identifying the floral origin. This is done through DNA barcoding technology that traces pollen grains. This allows beekeepers to authenticate varietal honey like alfalfa, buckwheat and clover. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools are used through Beescape, and the lab analyzes habitat trends and potential threats. The lab is one of 23 projects across 11 counties to benefit from the block grant. 

Eligible projects are intended to enhance competitiveness and sustainability of the special crops through research to increase conservation and environmental outcomes, along with enhancing food safety, developing new seed varieties and improving pest and disease control.

Roush said that the grants are helping beekeepers, growers and land managers predict floral sources that bees are using.

“This knowledge is important to design pollinator habitats that support bee health, productivity and pollination services," Roush told the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. "We are grateful for the funding and are fortunate to have world-renowned scientists at the Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State. Their research is critical in preserving the pollination responsible for producing many nutritious foods and seed production to maintain the diversity of plant species."