PA Dept. of Agriculture Weekly Roundup
   Governor Shapiro Signs Into Law Commonsense Budget that Makes Historic Investments to Create a Stronger Economy, Safer and Healthier Communities, and Better SchoolsGovernor Josh Shapiro signed into law a commonsense, bipartisan budget for fiscal year 2023-24 that delivers on his top priorities to create a stronger economy, safer and healthier communities, and better schools. This budget makes historic investments in Pennsylvania children’s education, supports businesses and speeds up permitting, helps older adults stay in their homes, protects and strengthens communities, and ensures law enforcement and first responders have the resources they need.See More   Shapiro Administration Visits Fayette County Farm Providing Low-Income Seniors and Families with Fresh, Local Food through Farmers Market Nutrition Program Secretary Redding and Kevin Hancock, Special Advisor to the Secretary, Dept of Aging, visited the market at Duda’s Farm in Brownsville, Fayette County, a participating partner in Pennsylvania’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program provides Pennsylvania’s low-income seniors and families with vouchers to purchase fresh, local fruit and vegetables at farmers markets and farm stands statewide.“In a state as resource-rich as Pennsylvania, no one should go hungry,” Secretary Redding said. “Our Farmers Market Nutrition Programs are part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to connecting farmers to the nearly two million Pennsylvanians who may not know where their next meal will come from, and ensuring that fresh, locally grown, nutritious food is available to them.”See More  Shapiro Administration Announces $13 Million In Tax Credits Supporting Farmers’ Work Improving Water, Soil Quality Secretary Redding invited Pennsylvania farmers to apply for $13 million in tax credits available to support their efforts to improve soil health and water quality. Tax credits through Pennsylvania’s innovative conservation financing program, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), can be combined with other state funding, including the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, and Conservation Excellence Grants, as well as federal funding through programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help pay for on-farm enhancements that protect the environment and boost farm sustainability.Read More Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order Creating New, First-in-the-Nation Workforce Training Program to Take Advantage of Historic Federal Infrastructure Funding Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order creating the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program (CWTP), a first-in-the-nation job training program that provides workforce development grants to ensure companies, contractors, unions, and others who are working to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure have the skilled workforce they need.The program allows organizations doing important infrastructure work funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to receive up to $40,000 for each new worker they train. See More   Deputy Secretary of Animal Health and Food Safety Lisa Graybeal traveled to Mechanicsburg for the Grow PA Ag Workforce Development Intern Wrap-Up Presentation. These talented young professionals have worked together over the summer to improve the Ag Careers in PA platform. The intern team consisted of:Jordan Anderson, Center for Dairy ExcellenceEllie Feaga and Kendal Jenkins, Horizon Farm CreditJet Kelly, PennAg Industries AssociationRebekah Leise, PA Friends of Agriculture FoundationCheyenne Bastian-Brown, PA Friends of Agriculture FoundationSee More  While in Schuylkill County, Secretary Redding visited the Schuylkill County Fair to celebrate agriculture, summer and community.See More  Sen. John DiSanto, Rep. Tom Mehaffie, Commissioner Chad Saylor and county row officers tested their showmanship skills with heifers as 4-H children judged them on the performance and awarded ribbons while gathered at the Coble family’s bicentennial farm.  The Ag Progress Days site encompasses nearly 150 acres featuring commercial and educational exhibits, demonstrations, presentations and other activities for visitors of all ages. Credit: Michael Houtz, College of Agricultural Sciences. All Rights Reserved. Penn State’s Ag Progress Days is back with a full schedule of demonstrations, activities and learning for all ages, from a butterfly tent and corn maze for the youngest visitors to the latest in research and best practices for agriculture professionals and hobbyists. The expo will take place August 8-10 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in Ferguson Township, Centre County.See More  “The Changing Landscape – Everything Agricultural Employers Should Understand About Farm Labor Law” The next National Agricultural Law Center webinar is on Wednesday, August 9, from Noon – 1 PM Brandon Davis, partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP, will present “The Changing Landscape – Everything Agricultural Employers Should Understand About Farm Labor Law.” There’s still plenty of time to register!Learn MoreOrganic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) The Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) was created to assist certified organic dairy producers facing a unique set of challenges in recent years, including higher costs attributed to the pandemic and drought conditions across the country. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing financial assistance for a producer’s projected marketing costs in 2023 based on 2022 costs. ODMAP provides a one-time cost-share payment, based on marketing costs, on pounds of organic milk marketed in the 2022 calendar year. Organic dairy producers should apply by August 11, 2023 at their local USDA Service Center.Learn MoreAugust Ultimate RoundtableAugust 30, 2023 at 2 PM Whether you’re working with flowers, ornamental plants or produce, this webinar is for you! Join other industry professionals and Seed Your Future for an exclusive cross-segment discussion with growers, wholesalers and suppliers to discuss how to build a pipeline of labor on a local level. During this one-hour virtual gathering, attendees will receive a brief update on production, logistics and manufacturing trends, followed by a quick economic outlook from SAF Chief Economist Charlie Hall, Ph.D., the Ellison Chair of Floriculture at Texas A&M University. Then, attendees will hear from Seed Your Future Executive Director Jazmin Albarran about the organization’s Green Career Week initiative designed to help industry businesses engage with students. Several Green Career Week participants will share how the program has helped them build relationships with schools and students and offer tips to others about how to get involved.Learn MoreSave the Date for ANF Centennial CelebrationSeptember 24th the Allegheny National Forest Turns 100 The USDA Forest Service announced that the public is invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Allegheny National Forest’s establishment on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 11 AM to 7 PM at the Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Admission is free for this family-friendly event. Planned festivities include live music, guest speakers, kids’ activities, commemorative giveaways, interpretive hikes, an expo of organizations, history displays, food trucks, and beverage vendors.Learn More Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture | 2301 N. Cameron Street | Harrisburg, PA 17110 |