$10M available for small, mid-sized Pennsylvania farms and food businesses
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has partnered to make a program that will help support small and mid-sized farm and food businesses across the state.
They partnered with the USDA Northeast Regional Food Business Center to launch the first round of Business Builder sub-awards. These awards, which range from $15,000 to $100,000, will support businesses in scaling, expanding, or connecting their operations. In total, $10,000,000 is available in this round of awards.
Pennsylvania AG highlights how to recognize, report scams during consumer protection week
Who's eligible:
Farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries, and non-profits with $1M or less in annual revenue or $350,000 or less in revenue are eligible to apply. Applications opened on Feb. 24 and will remain open until April 7.
You can apply for the Business Builder Sub-awards on the Northeast Regional Food Business Center website.
What can the money be used for:
Business Development ($15,000 – $25,000) Provides funding for business planning, financial guidance, supply chain analysis, food safety training, workforce development and strategy development.
Equipment Acquisition ($25,000 – $50,000) Supports the purchase of specialized post-harvest equipment, such as wash-and-pack stations, refrigerated vans, cold storage units and food safety upgrades.
Product & Market Expansion ($50,000 – $100,000) Assists businesses in expanding through new product development, market analysis, packaging supplies, kitchen appliances and software implementation.
'Pennsylvania's prime location near four of the 10 largest U.S. markets, coupled with our outstanding transportation infrastructure gives our agriculture businesses an edge, with access to the customers and markets they need to reach,' Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
Awardees will be announced in July, and projects that receive funding will begin in August.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Russia skirts Western sanctions to ramp up its military footprint in Africa
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The two-year-old Africa Corps, which has links to a covert branch of Russia's army, is ascendant at a time when U.S. and European troops have been withdrawing from the region , forced out by sub-Saharan nations turning to Russia for security. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have been battling fighters linked with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group for more than a decade. At first, mercenary groups with an arms-length relationship to the Kremlin entered the fray in Africa. But increasingly, Russia is deploying its military might, and intelligence services, more directly. 'We intend to expand our cooperation with African countries in all spheres, with an emphasis on economic cooperation and investments,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 'This cooperation includes sensitive areas linked to defense and security.' From the ports, Russian weapons are trucked to Mali Russia's 8,800-ton Baltic Leader and 5,800-ton Patria are among hundreds of ships that Western nations have sanctioned to choke off resources for Russia's war in Ukraine. The ships docked and unloaded in Conakry, Guinea, in late May, AP satellite images showed. Other ships made deliveries to the same port in January. They delivered tanks, armored vehicles and other hardware that was then trucked overland to neighboring Mali, according to European military officials and a Malian blogger's video of the long convoy. The military officials spoke to AP about Russian operations on condition of anonymity. The AP verified the blogger's video, geolocating it to the RN5 highway leading into Bamako, the Malian capital. After the latest delivery in Conakry, trucks carrying Russian-made armored vehicles, howitzers and other equipment were again spotted on the overland route to Mali. 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Africa Corps appears to have been given air power, too, with satellites spotting at least one Su-24 fighter-bomber at a Bamako air base in recent months. Moscow's notorious secret unit For years, French forces supported counterinsurgency operations in Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. But France pulled out its troops after coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023. Russian mercenaries stepped into the vacuum . Wagner Group, the most notable, deployed to Sudan in 2017 and expanded to other African countries, often in exchange for mining concessions. It earned a reputation for brutality, accused by Western countries and U.N. experts of human rights abuses , including in Central African Republic, Libya and Mali. Of 33 African countries in which Russian military contractors were active, the majority were Wagner-controlled, according to U.S. government-sponsored research by RAND. But after Wagner forces mutinied in Russia in 2023 and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin , was killed two months later in a suspicious plane crash , Moscow tightened its grip. Russian military operations in Africa were restructured, with the Kremlin taking greater control through Africa Corps. It is overseen by the commander of Unit 29155, one of the most notorious branches of Russia's shadowy GRU military intelligence service, according to the European Union. Unit 29155 has been accused of covertly attacking Western interests for years, including through sabotage and assassination attempts. The EU in December targeted Unit 29155 Maj. Gen. Andrey Averyanov with sanctions, alleging that he is in charge of Africa Corps operations. 'In many African countries, Russian forces provide security to military juntas that have overthrown legitimate democratic governments, gravely worsening the stability, security and democracy of the countries,' the EU sanctions ruling said. These operations are financed by exploiting the continent's natural resources, the ruling added. The Russian Ministry of Defense didn't immediately respond to questions about Averyanov's role in Africa Corps. Africa Corps recruitment Researchers and military officials say the flow of weapons from Russia appears to be speeding Africa Corps' ascendancy over Wagner, helping it win over mercenaries that have remained loyal to the group. Africa Corps is also is recruiting in Russia, offering payments of up to 2.1 million rubles ($26,500), and even plots of land, for signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, plus more on deployment. Within days of the latest equipment delivery, Wagner announced its withdrawal from Mali, declaring 'mission accomplished' in a Telegram post. Africa Corps said in a separate post that it would remain. The changeover from Wagner to Africa Corps in Mali could be a forerunner for other similar transitions elsewhere on the continent, said Julia Stanyard, a researcher of Russian mercenary activity in Africa. 'Bringing in this sort of brand-new sophisticated weaponry, and new armored vehicles and that sort of thing, is quite a bit of a shift,' said Stanyard, of the Switzerland-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Armed groups in Mali have inflicted heavy losses on Malian troops and Russian mercenaries. The al-Qaida linked group JNIM killed dozens of soldiers in an attack this month on a military base. Insurgents also killed dozens of Wagner mercenaries in northern Mali last July. Some of the latest hardware could have been shipped over specifically in response to such attacks, military officials said. They said the jamming equipment, for example, could help defend against booby traps detonated using phone signals. Russian escort's red flags The latest convoy attracted attention because a Russian Navy warship, the Boykiy, escorted the ships after they set off in April from Russia's Kaliningrad region on the Baltic. Last October, in what's considered a hostile act, the Boykiy's radar systems locked onto a French Navy maritime surveillance plane on patrol against suspected Russian efforts to sabotage underwater cables, according to military officials. The convoy included a third sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Siyanie Severa. It continued onward as Baltic Leader and Patria unloaded in Conakry, docking in Bata, Equatorial Guinea. Satellite imagery from May 29 shows trucks lined up on the dock as the ship unloaded. The AP could not verify whether the cargo included weapons or the ultimate destination for the shipment, though Wagner has maintained a strong presence in the nearby Central African Republic. ___ Leicester reported from Paris and Biesecker from Washington. Beatrice Dupuy and Rachel Leathe in New York contributed. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Russia skirts Western sanctions to ramp up its military footprint in Africa
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Even as it pounds Ukraine, Russia is expanding its military footprint in Africa, delivering sophisticated weaponry to sub-Saharan conflict zones where a Kremlin-controlled armed force is on the rise. Skirting sanctions imposed by Western nations, Moscow is using cargo ships to send tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and other high-value equipment to West Africa, The Associated Press has found. Relying on satellite imagery and radio signals, AP tracked a convoy of Russian-flagged cargo ships as they made a nearly one-month journey from the Baltic Sea. The ships carried howitzers, radio jamming equipment and other military hardware, according to military officials in Europe who closely monitored them. The deliveries could strengthen Russia's fledgling Africa Corps as Moscow competes with the United States, Europe and China for greater influence across the continent. 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Malian broadcaster ORTM confirmed that the West African nation's army took delivery of new military equipment. AP analysis of its video and images filmed by the Malian blogger in the same spot as the January delivery identified a broad array of Russian-made hardware, including 152 mm artillery guns and other smaller canons. AP also identified a wheeled, BTR-80 armored troop carrier with radio-jamming equipment, as well as Spartak armored vehicles and other armored carriers, some mounted with guns. The shipment also included at least two semi-inflatable small boats, one with a Russian flag painted on its hull, as well as tanker trucks, some marked 'inflammable' in Russian on their sides. The military officials who spoke to AP said they believe Russia has earmarked the most potent equipment — notably the artillery and jamming equipment — for its Africa Corps, not Malian armed forces. 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These operations are financed by exploiting the continent's natural resources, the ruling added. The Russian Ministry of Defense didn't immediately respond to questions about Averyanov's role in Africa Corps. Africa Corps recruitment Researchers and military officials say the flow of weapons from Russia appears to be speeding Africa Corps' ascendancy over Wagner, helping it win over mercenaries that have remained loyal to the group. Africa Corps is also is recruiting in Russia, offering payments of up to 2.1 million rubles ($26,500), and even plots of land, for signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, plus more on deployment. Within days of the latest equipment delivery, Wagner announced its withdrawal from Mali, declaring 'mission accomplished" in a Telegram post. Africa Corps said in a separate post that it would remain. The changeover from Wagner to Africa Corps in Mali could be a forerunner for other similar transitions elsewhere on the continent, said Julia Stanyard, a researcher of Russian mercenary activity in Africa. 'Bringing in this sort of brand-new sophisticated weaponry, and new armored vehicles and that sort of thing, is quite a bit of a shift,' said Stanyard, of the Switzerland-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Armed groups in Mali have inflicted heavy losses on Malian troops and Russian mercenaries. The al-Qaida linked group JNIM killed dozens of soldiers in an attack this month on a military base. Insurgents also killed dozens of Wagner mercenaries in northern Mali last July. Some of the latest hardware could have been shipped over specifically in response to such attacks, military officials said. They said the jamming equipment, for example, could help defend against booby traps detonated using phone signals. 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Beatrice Dupuy and Rachel Leathe in New York contributed.
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Forbes
Trust, But Verify The Actions Of Your AI Agents
AI agents need to build trust When it comes to the benefits seen from AI agents so far, it's real 'meat-and-potatoes' stuff: 66% in a recent survey, report increased productivity, 57% say they are seeing costs savings, and 55% say AI agents have sped up their decision making. The more 'game-changing' stuff – enhanced innovation and opening up new revenue sources – are still lower on the list, cited by 35% and 29% respectively. The survey of 300 senior executives, released by PwC last month, finds evidence of these basic benefits, as well as plenty of money flowing toward agents. Almost all, 88%, say their team or business function plans to increase AI-related budgets in the next 12 months to develop and deploy agentic AI. More than one in four, 26%, are boosting such budgets by more than 50%. Seventy-nine percent say AI agents are already being adopted in their companies. Still, most (68%) report that half or fewer of their employees interact with agents in their everyday work. 'Few businesses are connecting agents across workflows and functions, yet that's where the real value lies,' the PwC researchers stated. What will it take to deliver effective agentic AI beyond the promises of productivity and cost-savings, which is a hallmark of every technology before it? Experts and leaders across the business landscape point to the need to pay close attention to factors such as trust, employee preparation, data and corporate culture. 'The rapid surge of AI and agentic models will democratize tech like never before,' predicted Elise Houlik, chief privacy officer at Intuit. Already, they are being widely applied in 'a myriad of disciplines, including marketing campaign creation, contract reviews, and regulatory compliance.' However, many organizations may not be ready to embrace these advantages on a large scale. 'The readiness of enterprises and their technology teams to integrate such advanced AI solutions varies considerably,' said Dr. Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor of finance at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 'This disparity underscores a recognition of AI's potential benefits, tempered by a deliberate approach to its implementation.' Many organizations "are not fully prepared to integrate these advanced technologies,' agreed Leonard Kim, chief product officer at Hyland. Agentic AI implementations need to include the 'upskilling of teams to bridge the AI knowledge gap,' said Kim. Along with that, 'AI needs to be seen as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.' Integrating agentic AI into existing workflows 'demands substantial changes in organizational processes and culture,' said Dunbar. Add to that a 'lack of data readiness. AI systems require consistent, clean, and well-organized data to function effectively.' Agentic AI – supporting autonomous applications, where it's value is surfaced – requires a strengthening of 'cross-functional alignment between technology, business and compliance teams,' said Prashant Kelker, chief strategy officer with ISG. Trust in autonomous AI agent is another challenge, as revealed in the PwC survey. Thirty-nine percent of executives still do not trust handing over tasks to agents, and 35% are concerned about maintaining human oversight and accountability. To gain more trust in unleashing autonomous agents on critical workflows, companies at the forefront of agentic AI face a critical challenge: balancing autonomy with user control, said Ashok Srivastava, chief data officer at Intuit. The key is to "incorporate adaptive transparency, ethical safeguards, and context-aware learning to empower customer decision-making." To this end, Kelker advises the establishment of 'fail-safe mechanisms' across agent systems. This consists of 'designing override systems to regain control in case of undesired agent behavior.' This includes the creation of 'simulation environments, as well as bespoke simulators for testing agent behavior in controlled conditions.' Such trust also needs to be managed 'intuitive human-AI collaboration, ensuring efficiency while preserving user authority,' said Srivastava. Without trust and confidence, agentic AI systems' ability to autonomously plan, reason, and execute tasks will be irrelevant. 'Striking this delicate balance will be crucial for the long-term success of AI-driven businesses,' he said.
