Agriculture Secretary Tours Penn State Fruit Research Center to See How Shapiro Administration Agricultural Innovation Grants are Helping Pennsylvania Fruit Growers Innovate[...]

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June 18, 2026 - Biglerville, PA

Agriculture Secretary Tours Penn State Fruit Research Center to See How Shapiro Administration Agricultural Innovation Grants are Helping Pennsylvania Fruit Growers Innovate and Thrive

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding toured Penn State's Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC), where a $19,000 investment through the nation's first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program funded a drone-based, precision scanning and spraying system that will help Pennsylvania fruit growers thrive amid challenges like the catastrophic late-season freezes this spring. Governor Josh Shapiro proposed a $19 million investment in his 2026-27 budget to expand the program that is helping Pennsylvania farmers innovate, succeed, and grow their bottom line.

"Cutting-edge research at FREC gives Pennsylvania's top-notch fruit growers tools to address their real-world issues safely, effectively, and efficiently," Sec. Redding said. "Helping farmers do what they need to do to compete and continue leading the nation is the reason the Shapiro Administration launched Ag Innovation Grants. This investment - combined with millions in state funds backing industry excellence, research and development - is working across Pennsylvania, putting research into practice to help farmers get stuff done."

Speaker List:
Secretary Russell Redding, PA Department of Agriculture
Paul Heinemann, Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems Director, Penn State College of Ag Sciences
Gretta Tritch Roman, Senior Director of Research Development and Initiatives, Penn State College of Ag Sciences
Shan Kumar, Assistant Professor of Tree Fruit, Department of Plant Sciences, Penn State College of Ag Sciences
Maggie Travis, Grower Services Manager, Rice Fruit Company
Representative Dan Moul
Representative Catherine Wallen

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