(Des Moines) -- Penn State is among 10 universities getting grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture study what climate change means to agriculture and devise strategies for helping

farmers and ranchers deal with weather changes. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the grants during a conference about climate change held at Drake University in Des Moines. The grants are worth a total of $6 million.

Vilsack told the audience the funds would lead to information and developments that would be essential to farmers.

They were made through the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

In addition to Penn State, the grants will go to the University of Colorado, Cornell University, Florida International University, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota, Montana State University, Oklahoma State University, and West Virginia University.