Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding is calling for proposals for $450,000 in research grants through the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence, created under the Pennsylvania Farm Bill. The center, funded at $1 million for 2023-24, is among the critical investments in a robust future for Pennsylvania agriculture in the first budget of Governor Josh Shapiro's administration.

"Funding these projects expands our capacity to tackle costly, complex challenges like the highly pathogenic avian influenza crisis, and other diseases that threaten our food supply," says Redding. "Research feeds innovation and productivity, keeping Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry growing."

Since 2019, Pennsylvania has invested $4.5 million in the center to cultivate innovation and strengthen Pennsylvania's animal agriculture sector. The center has been a key partner in managing the outbreak of avian influenza in 2022 and early 2023, and in continual planning to ensure continuity of business for Pennsylvania's poultry and livestock industries.

The center invites research proposals that focus on poultry, swine, sheep and goat production, including projects that:

Proposals can be submitted online no later than 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Complete proposal guidelines as well as research currently funded and underway, project success stories, and an archive of funded projects can be found on the center's website.