Pennsylvania Poultry Owners Should Take Steps Now To Protect Flocks Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza As spring wild bird migration nears, Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield remind poultry owners to protect their flocks, and their neighbors’ flocks, along with the commonwealth’s economy, against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) by remaining vigilant and reviewing and implementing strong biosecurity plans and practices.Read More
Shapiro Administration Awards $200,000 To Grow Hemp Industry; Invites Proposals For $392,000 In Grants Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced $200,000 in grants to three agriculture nonprofits to fund projects aimed at growing fiber and food hemp markets, sales and awareness in Pennsylvania. Redding also called for proposals from marketing and promotion non-profits for an additional $392,000 in grants to be awarded in March 2023.Read More
Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order, Creating New Office of Transformation and Opportunity to Spur Economic Growth, Create Jobs, and Foster Innovation in Pennsylvania On January 24, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor’s Office and the Economic Development Strategy Group. Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will have a seat at the table representing Pennsylvania agriculture as part of the Economic Development Strategy Group.See More
Department Of Human Services Alerts Pennsylvanians About The End Of Emergency Allotment And Other SNAP Changes, Urges Support Of Charitable Food Network Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Val Arkoosh advised Pennsylvanians of upcoming changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Due to passage of the recent federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, starting in March, SNAP recipient households will no longer receive the Emergency Allotment (EA) additional payment created during the COVID-19 public health emergency and will resume receiving one SNAP payment per month. This change will happen for all SNAP recipients, with households receiving letters via mail about the change in SNAP payments. Read More
While in Lancaster County, Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding attended Univest’s Agriculture Summit. During the event, he had the chance to recap the past year and the challenges that were brought on with a focus on the future.See More
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity. Response Deadline: February 2023Learn More
PA Preferred Organic and ESI need your input! Join PA Preferred Organic and Econsult Solutions (ESI) for one of two virtual roundtable discussions on Organic Farming in Pennsylvania. These interactive roundtables will focus on the launch of PA Preferred and ESI’s new analysis on the Economic Impact and Future of Organic Agriculture in Pennsylvania. We need to hear from you about the future of Organic Agriculture in PA, what role the Commonwealth should play, and the opportunities and challenges for agriculture producers. Sign up for one of the roundtables at the links below:
Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant – Now Open This grant focuses on the implementation of community- and climate-forward dairy production. Grants will range from $15,000 to $75,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Licensed dairy processors and producer associations from the Northeast are invited to apply. Educational or research institutions may apply but are required to partner with a minimum of two Northeast-based dairy processors. Deadline: March 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ET.Apply
USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production USDA is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects.Learn More
SBDC Workshops Available The PA SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence will be hosting three workshops that focus on product liability, grants and agricultural finance.
Pennsylvania Poultry Owners Should Take Steps Now To Protect Flocks Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza As spring wild bird migration nears, Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield remind poultry owners to protect their flocks, and their neighbors’ flocks, along with the commonwealth’s economy, against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) by remaining vigilant and reviewing and implementing strong biosecurity plans and practices.Read More
Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order, Creating New Office of Transformation and Opportunity to Spur Economic Growth, Create Jobs, and Foster Innovation in Pennsylvania On January 24, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor’s Office and the Economic Development Strategy Group. Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will have a seat at the table representing Pennsylvania agriculture as part of the Economic Development Strategy Group.See More
While in Lancaster County, Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding attended Univest’s Agriculture Summit. During the event, he had the chance to recap the past year and the challenges that were brought on with a focus on the future.See More
