The Center for Plant Excellence, a new initiative supporting Pennsylvania's plant industries, announced recipients of its 2025–26 grants, awarding $125,000 across seven projects.
Launched earlier this year, the center is a partnership among the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Extension and industry leaders. It is aimed at strengthening research, industry collaboration and resources that drive sustainability and economic growth in forestry, specialty crops and horticulture. These sectors contribute more than $52 billion annually to Pennsylvania's economy.
To jumpstart innovation, the center offered $125,000 in grant funding through its inaugural request for proposals. Board members identified four priority areas: managing invasive pests and diseases, building a future-ready workforce, improving business resilience and innovation, and expanding industry visibility.
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The following projects were selected for Track A: Research for Plant Industry Advancement.
The project "Comprehensive Detection of Potato Pathogens by Targeted Long-Read Sequencing," led by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and funded at $25,071, aims to develop a new diagnostic tool that can detect multiple potato pathogens from a single sample. Using fast, portable sequencing technology, the team will provide growers with quicker and more accurate information than current testing methods allow. The goal is to help producers make earlier, better decisions and strengthen potato production across Pennsylvania.
"Bast Fiber Testing to Optimize Economic Impact," led by Thomas Jefferson University and funded at $29,929, will test Pennsylvania-grown hemp and flax to provide farmers and processors with clear, industry-standard feedback on fiber quality and market potential. By generating reliable data on characteristics such as strength, fineness and color, the project supports better decision making across the supply chain and advances the development of a more competitive natural fiber industry in the commonwealth.
The project "PestNet: AI-Driven Early Detection for Emerging Pest Threats," funded at $30,000 and led by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, will develop improved tools to detect thrips early in high-tunnel tomato production. Thrips are a major pest challenge that can significantly reduce crop quality and profitability. By comparing common monitoring methods and testing new artificial intelligence technology for faster, more accurate identification, the project will give growers clearer guidance for timely and effective pest management.
The following projects were selected for Track B: Plant Industry Career Development.
"Growing Careers in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry," led by Landforce in Pittsburgh and funded at $10,000, will provide hands-on arboriculture and urban forestry training that prepares participants for entry-level careers in Pennsylvania's plant industries. Crew members will learn essential skills in tree care, pruning, species identification and safe equipment use while working on real projects across Allegheny County. The program expands the pipeline of job-ready workers and supports healthier, well-managed urban forests.
The LEAF Project in Landisburg received $10,000 for "Cultivating Youth Leaders," a paid, hands-on agricultural training program for high school students. Participants will gain experience in crop production, food handling and core agribusiness skills through real-world work and business training. The program introduces students to how plants are grown, how food moves through the system and how informed decisions are made on the farm, with the goal of strengthening Pennsylvania's future workforce in plant and food industries.
"Seed to STEM: Building Horticulture Career Pipelines Through Educator Training," led by Seed Your Future and funded at $10,000, will train four Pennsylvania high school educators through the immersive Seed to STEM program. Teachers will visit leading horticulture employers, develop plant-focused lesson plans and bring new, career-connected learning back to their classrooms. The project is designed to increase student awareness of horticulture careers and strengthen the long-term talent pipeline statewide.
The New Kensington Community Development Corporation in Philadelphia received $10,000 for its Commercial Corridor Green Asset Management Internship. The program will give young adults practical experience in plant care while supporting improvements along the Kensington Avenue commercial corridor. Interns will install and maintain planters, collect site data and work directly with local businesses while developing skills in plant identification, maintenance and basic pest management, helping prepare them for careers in green industries.
Miranda Harple, interim director of the Center for Plant Excellence, said the center builds on Penn State Extension's longstanding commitment to delivering science-based education to Pennsylvania's agricultural communities.
The funded projects, she said, are designed to advance applied research and training that translate directly into solutions for growers and businesses across the commonwealth.
Projects will run through December 2026.
Source: Penn State University
