Secretary Redding testified at the Agriculture Budget Hearing with the PA House of Representatives. During the hearing, various topics were discussed, including: animal healthfood insecurityagriculture educationworkforce developmentSee MoreWatch the hearing

Test Results Show Soil Is Safe At Pennsylvania Farms After Train Derailment The initial soil test results taken from 15 farms in Beaver and Lawrence counties show no signs of contamination from the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train derailment.Read MorePEMA Train Derailment Dashboard

Shapiro Administration Reminds Older Adults Assistance Is Available After Major Federal Changes To SNAP Benefits The Pennsylvania Department of Aging reminded older adults facing a reduction in their Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that help with meals and other food assistance programs is available.Read More

As Federal SNAP Benefits Change, Shapiro Administration Steps Up To Provide Resources And State Investments To Fight Food Insecurity Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Val Arkoosh are reminding Pennsylvanians of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that are taking effect this month that will affect all SNAP recipient households. SNAP Emergency Allotments – which were usually paid in the second half of each month – ended after February due to changes by the federal government. Read More

Today, nearly 1 in every 10 jobs is supported by agriculture. However, Pennsylvania has a predicted deficit of 75,000 workers. Central Regional Director and Special Assistant for Workforce Development, Sara Gligora, is working to help fill that gap through workforce development opportunities.Read More

Secretary Redding attended Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill’s Farmer’s Breakfast in York County. This breakfast was a wonderful opportunity to share a meal and say thank you to those that provide for the Commonwealth and fuel PA agriculture.See More

Stephon Fitzpatrick, the Executive Director for the Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence Commission spent this past week traveling between six different schools in the city of Philadelphia. He met with over 900 students to share the opportunities in agriculture that are available for students. This includes topics such as urban agriculture, and starting MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) chapters.Read More

The Plant Industry inspection staff at the PA Department of Agriculture attended their annual spring meeting to continue their education and prepare for the upcoming growing season. The topics covered this year included in-house program training on sampling and inspections for animal food, seed, fertilizers, pesticide products, pesticide misuse, industrial hemp, ornamental plants, insects and other industry threats.See MoreLearn about the bureau

Happy National Ag Week!  We pause to applaud PA agriculture and highlight how the industry strengthens our communities and economy each and every day. Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, and that’s thanks to the dedication of those farmers and producers who work hard to provide an abundance of food, fiber, and resources for us all.See More

Secretary Redding attended the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Spring Conference for a panel discussion with other Commonwealth Secretaries, highlighting the partnership between departments. Governor Shapiro also stopped in to give his remarks. See More

Recently, while in Lackawanna County, Secretary Redding stopped by the American Dairy Association North East Board Meeting to share key updates for the dairy industry. Discussions highlighted the PA Farm Bill, workforce and apprenticeship, conservation and preservations, and the work being done to support charitable food programs and mental health.See More

Penn State Extension to Hold “Agronomy Scout School”  Penn State Extension will hold an in-person workshop titled “Agronomy Scout School,” aimed at providing crop scouts with an overview of the fundamentals necessary for scouting in corn, soybeans, forages and small grains. The workshop will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on Penn State’s University Park campus. Deadline: Register by March 29, 2023Learn More

High School Students Invited to Learn About Dairy Technology on April 27 High school students in 11thand 12th grades who are interested in technology and dairy farming are invited to this year’s Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Exploration Experience. Students will learn about various technologies and advancements in the dairy industry and see how Oakleigh Dairy Farm uses robotics on a daily basis. Deadline: Apply by April 20, 2023Learn More

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Recovery Reimbursement Grant Applications are open for the fourth round of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) recovery support for poultry farmers and integrators who suffered losses in HPAI Control Zones (the 10-kilometer perimeter around an infected, quarantined farm). Deadline: Apply by April 30, 2023Apply Now

National Hardwood Lumber Association Training School  The Inspector Training School will host a FULL summer class in Oil City, PA. The summer class is made possible by a grant awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s “Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program“.  A 50% reimbursement of tuition paid by or on behalf of Pennsylvania-based participants will be issued upon successful completion of the program.Learn MoreRegister