PITTSBURGH

Food21 completes feasibility study

With support from the Pennsylvania Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, Food21 of Pennsylvania has completed a study to assess the feasibility of establishing a shared infrastructure model for dairy, agricultural and energy ventures in the region.

The study, conducted by Fourth Economy consultants, examined ways to support dairy farms and strengthen regional supply chains with the establishment of a value-added dairy processing plant, anaerobic digestor, AgTech research center and demonstration farm in Westmoreland County.

“Through our work in Pennsylvania food systems, we have repeatedly observed that western Pennsylvania needs more food systems infrastructure to connect the region’s agricultural producers and markets,” said Juliette Crellin, senior consultant, Fourth Economy.

UNIVERSITY PARK

Sensors could warn farmers of stress in plants

Soil salinity is a critical concern in agriculture when excessive soluble salts restrict a plant’s water uptake, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hindering crop growth and reducing yields on roughly 30% of U.S. irrigated land.

Caused by irrigation, poor drainage or saltwater intrusion, soil salinity impacts soil structure, reduces fertility and causes economic losses. To help growers identify and mitigate salt stress, in a proof-of-concept study, a team led by Penn State researchers built a low-cost sensor system that detects signals released by plants in trouble.

The sensor works by detecting specific gases, called volatile organic compounds, emitted by plants. The researchers reported that not only do salt-stressed plants give off different gas patterns than unstressed plants, but that their low-cost sensor system can detect the difference.

Extension offering series on financial wellness

Anyone interested in learning how to organize finances, connect money with healthy habits and build stronger financial relationships can do so through an upcoming Penn State Extension webinar series.

The “Boosting Financial Wellness” webinar series will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. April 22, April 29 and May 6.

This three-part webinar series is intended to help participants strengthen financial knowledge, simplify money management and build healthier habits.

The series will offer practical strategies and resources to support long-term financial wellness.

Organizers encourage attendees to register by April 21. Registration is $10 and includes all three sessions.

Climate policies can reduce emissions

Scientists have debated for decades whether economies can continue to grow without increasing greenhouse gas emissions. A new study by a Penn State researcher found this may be possible, but only under strict conditions and mostly for the world’s wealthiest nations.

The study, published in the journal Social Forces, includes the analysis of more than three decades of data from nations using the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Climate Actions and Policies Measurement Framework database, which does not include the United States, to examine how climate policies affect the link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions.

The researchers found that high-income countries were able to reduce or neutralize emissions when they implemented strong climate policies — which can include instruments such as carbon taxes, subsidies for carbon free technologies, bans and technological standards — even as their economies grew.