HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and State Rep. Clint Owlett (R-68) today announced two area businesses have received grants in the second round of funding awarded through the state’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program.

“Funding from this first-of-its-kind program will give our local farmers and agribusinesses access to cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to enhance their operations and increase efficiency,” Yaw said. “I’m pleased to see this significant state investment in our region’s agriculture sector.”

“It is so exciting to see the hardworking folks in our agriculture industry adapting, growing and thriving through innovation,” Owlett said. “Technology has created a lot of opportunities for our farmers and agribusiness leaders, and I’m pleased to see some of our local innovators receive these well-earned investments from the Commonwealth.”

In Tioga County, Woodland Biomass Innovations was awarded $305,035 toward its woody biomass-to-gasoline conversion facility. The company received $50,000 through the program last year for site planning for the facility.

In Bradford County, Cummings Lumber Company was awarded $129,800 toward its automated lumber-handling system.

The Agricultural Innovation Grant is distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The program helps farmers and other agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable energy innovations – expanding their potential to generate profits, enrich soil and water resources, and produce energy on the farm.

CONTACT: Elizabeth Weitzel (Yaw)
717-787-3280

CONTACT: Patricia Hippler (Owlett)
717-772-9846