Governor Josh Shapiro Joins Senator Scott Martin & Pennsylvania Farmers to Highlight Commonwealth’s Action and Proposed Investments to Address Avian Flu Crisis
Governor Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Senator Scott Martin – the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee – met with local farmers and residents to hear about the challenges they face due to the HPAI crisis and highlight the Commonwealth’s proactive response and recovery efforts to help Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry.RecapLearn More
Secretary Redding testified at the Agriculture Budget Hearing with the Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee. During the hearing, various topics were discussed, including: animal healthfood insecurityfarmland preservationSee More
Shapiro Administration Begins Roll-Out Of Clean Streams Fund Program To Build Healthier Soil, Cleaner Water, Farm Viability Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Matthew and Samantha Stahlnecker’s Lycoming County farm to announce the first funding rolling out under the new, $154 million Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). Governor Shapiro made it clear in his budget address that he understands the significant role of our farmers in Pennsylvania’s vitality. His words are matched by his proposals for investments that will grow and strengthen agriculture and the commonwealth through commonsense solutions. This announcement builds on the Administration’s commitment.See MoreLearn More: ACAP Program
ICYMI: First Lady Shapiro, Second Lady Holmes Davis Urge Support of Local Food Banks Amid Major Federal Changes to SNAP in New Op-Ed Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis in a recent op-ed reminded Pennsylvanians of major federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that went into effect earlier this month, and further encouraged anyone who can to donate food or volunteer their time to help fill the gap of need. On March 1, due to federal legislation, a pandemic response policy that provided additional SNAP funds every month since early 2020 came to an end, affecting more than 1.9 million Pennsylvania SNAP recipients.Read More
Secretary Redding enjoyed the Pennsylvania FFA State Legislative Leadership Conference and Breakfast. These are extraordinary times in agriculture and in government. We elected a new governor and many new members to Pennsylvania’s general assembly. The excitement that new ideas and new partnerships brings is met with new opportunities and new challenges, and all of them require us to be engaged, especially our youth.See More
Secretary Redding had the opportunity to sit down with National FFA Southern Region Vice President Mackenna Clifton, Pennsylvania FFA Vice President Benjamin Torrey, Pennsylvania FFA Chaplain Zaleigh Wade, and Pennsylvania FFA Executive Director Michael Brammer. Programs like FFA, 4-H and MANRRS are extraordinarily impactful in the lives of our students. Through these programs, they are learning skills that will better prepare them for the workforce and to be leaders of our community.See More
Invasive species like the emerald ash borer have caused immense damage to the PA agriculture industry in the last few decades. Discovering the impacts of invasive species like the borer was the focus of a statewide survey conducted last fall. “There was great participation, over a thousand people took the survey, with over a hundred different invasives being identified,” stated Fred Strathmeyer Jr., Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in an interview on the topic.See More
Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting and Banquet The 2023 Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association will be hosting their annual meeting and banquet on April 15 at the Blair County Convention Center. The event will include educational sessions and a legislative session with Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Ag Committee. South Dakota rancher, advocate, and author Amanda Radke will also be joining the event as the featured speaker. Learn 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
Save the Date for Annual ‘Toast to Dairy’ Celebration on June 15 The Dairy Excellence Foundation is hosting its annual farm-to-fork celebration, “A Toast to Dairy,” on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. at Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy, Pa. The event includes meal stations sourced with Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients, a selection of artisan cheeses, and locally crafted wines and brews. Deadline: Early-bird ticket discount ends May 1.Learn More
USDA Announces Cooperative Agreements for Compost and Food Waste Reduction The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of up to $9.5 million for Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2023. The cooperative agreements support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. They are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture. Deadline: Apply by June 15Learn More
Governor Josh Shapiro Joins Senator Scott Martin & Pennsylvania Farmers to Highlight Commonwealth’s Action and Proposed Investments to Address Avian Flu Crisis
Secretary Redding testified at the Agriculture Budget Hearing with the Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee. During the hearing, various topics were discussed, including: animal healthfood insecurityfarmland preservationSee More
Shapiro Administration Begins Roll-Out Of Clean Streams Fund Program To Build Healthier Soil, Cleaner Water, Farm Viability Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Matthew and Samantha Stahlnecker’s Lycoming County farm to announce the first funding rolling out under the new, $154 million Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). Governor Shapiro made it clear in his budget address that he understands the significant role of our farmers in Pennsylvania’s vitality. His words are matched by his proposals for investments that will grow and strengthen agriculture and the commonwealth through commonsense solutions. This announcement builds on the Administration’s commitment.See MoreLearn More: ACAP Program
Secretary Redding enjoyed the Pennsylvania FFA State Legislative Leadership Conference and Breakfast. These are extraordinary times in agriculture and in government. We elected a new governor and many new members to Pennsylvania’s general assembly. The excitement that new ideas and new partnerships brings is met with new opportunities and new challenges, and all of them require us to be engaged, especially our youth.See More
Secretary Redding had the opportunity to sit down with National FFA Southern Region Vice President Mackenna Clifton, Pennsylvania FFA Vice President Benjamin Torrey, Pennsylvania FFA Chaplain Zaleigh Wade, and Pennsylvania FFA Executive Director Michael Brammer. Programs like FFA, 4-H and MANRRS are extraordinarily impactful in the lives of our students. Through these programs, they are learning skills that will better prepare them for the workforce and to be leaders of our community.See More
Invasive species like the emerald ash borer have caused immense damage to the PA agriculture industry in the last few decades. Discovering the impacts of invasive species like the borer was the focus of a statewide survey conducted last fall. “There was great participation, over a thousand people took the survey, with over a hundred different invasives being identified,” stated Fred Strathmeyer Jr., Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in an interview on the topic.See More
Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting and Banquet The 2023 Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association will be hosting their annual meeting and banquet on April 15 at the Blair County Convention Center. The event will include educational sessions and a legislative session with Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Ag Committee. South Dakota rancher, advocate, and author Amanda Radke will also be joining the event as the featured speaker. Learn 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
Save the Date for Annual ‘Toast to Dairy’ Celebration on June 15 The Dairy Excellence Foundation is hosting its annual farm-to-fork celebration, “A Toast to Dairy,” on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. at Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy, Pa. The event includes meal stations sourced with Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients, a selection of artisan cheeses, and locally crafted wines and brews. Deadline: Early-bird ticket discount ends May 1.Learn More