PA Dept. of Agriculture Weekly Roundup
Find out what’s been happening at PDA!    Secretary Redding had the opportunity to start Penn State’s Ag Progress Days by joining Penn State, College of Agricultural Sciences Dean, Rick Roush, to discuss the current state of Pennsylvania agriculture. See More Secretary Redding was honored to have presented the Dairy of Distinction Awards to recognize Pennsylvania’s finest dairies and their contributions to our agriculture industry. Congratulations to this year’s award winners! The “Growing the Next Generation of Agriculture” panel was held, providing an opportunity for panelists to tell their unique stories and involvement with agriculture, and for the audience to learn about how young people are shaping the future of this industry.See More Congressman “GT” Thompson held a town hall meeting with Secretary Redding and Dean, Rick Roush. They were able to share updates as it pertained to our industry and what’s to come while also hearing from those in attendance during a Q&A session.See More The Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees held a joint informational meeting on the 2023 Federal Farm Bill at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days. Every five years, the U.S. Congress approves a multiyear omnibus law that governs and supports a wide range of federal agricultural and food programs.See More Secretary Redding and Sara Gligora, Central Regional Director and Special Assistant for Workforce Development, had a chance to connect with Ag Equipment dealers, to hear about the needs of these employers and what programs are out there to assist with increasing access to opportunities out there.See More   Shapiro Administration Recognizes Farm Families’ Staying Power, Honoring Two New Bicentennial And Nine New Century Farms Secretary Redding honored the Donald and Donna Kerchner family of Lenhartsville, Berks County, and the Richard Thomas family of Troy, Bradford County. Both families’ farms were named Bicentennial Farms for having been in the same family for 200 years. Redding also honored nine families who achieved Century Farm status for keeping their farms in the same family for 100 years. At the ceremony during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, families from Armstrong, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Centre, Columbia, Jefferson, Perry, Somerset counties, and two York county families were honored with the designations and recognized for their commitment to feeding Pennsylvania and sustaining our economy.See MoreRecap Governor Shapiro Speaks at Penn State’s Annual Ag Progress Days, Highlights Budget Investments in the Future of Pennsylvania Agriculture Governor Josh Shapiro spoke at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences’ Ag Progress Days to highlight the critical investments the 2023-24 bipartisan budget makes in the future of Pennsylvania agriculture.See More Governor Shapiro Signs Ceremonial Budget Bill Creating Universal Free Breakfast, Making Historic Investments in Public Education During Visit to Allegheny County Elementary School Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin visited Penn Hills Elementary School in Allegheny County to host a ceremonial bill signing of the 2023-2024 budget, which creates universal free breakfast for all public school students and makes historic investments in K-12 public schools, including the largest increase in basic education funding in Pennsylvania history.See MoreUSDA conducts Pennsylvania custom rates survey for the first time since 2016 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting Pennsylvanian farmers and agri-businesses for the 2022 Custom Rates Survey. The survey is a comprehensive assessment of custom crop and livestock service work offered in the state during 2022. NASS will contact about 4,000 farmers and agri-businesses in Pennsylvania starting in early August with a postcard. Survey respondents are encouraged to use the new Respondent Portal at agcounts.usda.gov. The survey is a PA Department of Agriculture funded project. Read More   Help us congratulate and welcome to the Commonwealth the 2023 William and Hannah Penn Fellows! Our Fellow, Lauren Shaffer, will play a vital role here at the department as she will help work on four critical initiatives: the Federal Farm Bill, organic agriculture, water and energy nexus, and the newly created Agriculture Conservation Technical Assistance Center.See More  Secretary Redding attended Congressman “GT” Thompson’s Ag Summit held in Bellefonte. The conversation focused on how the challenges faced within Pennsylvania agriculture can be directly answered through the opportunities we have in science, technology, and innovation.See More Congratulations to the Pennsylvania 4-H team that placed second place at the 43rd annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational held in West Virginia!While there, 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included: tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl and a written forestry exam.See More    Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers are back. Eligible seniors (60+) can receive vouchers valued at for individuals or couples – twice as much as previous years.Learn More Remember, your flock and your neighbors’ flocks depend on YOU! Both backyard flock owners and commercial producers are reminded to keep their guard up to continue to stop highly pathogenic avian influenza.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 |