Conklin announces $140,000 investment in Penn State projects
Rep. Scott Conklin August 3, 2026 | 12:37 PM
STATE COLLEGE, Aug. 3 – Today, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced that $140,000 in PA Specialty Crop Block Grant funding will go toward agriculture projects at Pennsylvania State University.
The PA Specialty Crop Block Grant is awarded to projects aimed at increasing competitiveness and market growth for high-priority specialty crops, such as hardwoods, honey, brewing grains and hemp.
Of the $140,000 investment, $80,000 will go toward assessing the impact of Barley Root-Knot Nematodes on Pennsylvania’s malting industry. The Barley Root-Knot Nematode is noted as one of the most damaging plant parasites on Pennsylvania barley crops.
Another $60,000 will go toward Penn State Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology researchers, who will partner with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Plant Pathology Lab researchers to detect, monitor, and control groups of pathogens threatening specialty crops.
“Penn State has always been at the forefront of agricultural research, and this funding will put our brightest minds together to protect our crops against modern dangers,” Conklin said. “Preserving Pennsylvania agriculture starts with keeping our crops healthy, particularly the specialty crops that makes our state stand apart in the industry. I thank the commonwealth for its investment in our qualified students and researchers.”
To learn more about the PA Specialty Crop Block Grant, visit https://www.pa.gov/services/pda/apply-for-the-pa-specialty-crop-grant.