Funding awarded to support mushroom compost research.

In September, Rep. Art Hershey (R-Chester) and Rep. Stephen Barrer (R-Delaware) presented Gary Smith, President and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council, with a $30,000 research grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. "I am pleased to be able to present this grant check to the Chester County Economic Development Council. The Council has been diligently looking for ways to increase the economic opportunities for the agricultural industry," said Hershey.

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The Chester County Economic Development Council will use the funds for research on environmentally responsible applications and guidelines for mushroom compost (also known as spent mushroom substrate) in agriculture and horticulture. "Chester County is known as a leading producer of mushrooms," said Hershey. "It only makes sense that we devote funding to further research best practices to reuse this important and plentiful material."

Dr. Michael Fidanza, Associate Professor at Penn State Berks Campus, is involved in research on mushroom compost to address environmental stewardship issues with mushroom growers in Southeastern PA.