PennDOT Announces New License Plates to Help Grow and Sustain Plants and Pollinators
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that, thanks to recently passed legislation, vehicle owners will now be able to purchase a ‘Pollinator’ license plate. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from the license plate will be deposited into the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund. The Pollinator Habitat Program Fund is dedicated to supporting ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the populations of insects which pollinate plant life. Read More
Shapiro Administration Invites Applicants For $500,000 In PA Farm Bill Grants To Strengthen Child Nutrition, Hands-On Ag Education Secretary Redding invites schools and childhood education centers to apply for up to $15,000 per school through PA Farm Bill Farm-to-School grants. These grants are available for projects aimed at improving access to healthy, local foods and increasing hands-on learning experiences for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Deadline: Apply by May 19, 2023 Read More
Governor Shapiro Speaks at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 2023 Legislative Conference Governor Josh Shapiro joined Secretary Redding, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau members, and members of the General Assembly at the PA Farm Bureau’s 2023 Annual Legislative Luncheon in Harrisburg. Governor Shapiro shared how his budget would help the agriculture industry of Pennsylvania continue to grow. See More
Broadband Development Authority Approves Guidelines for $200 Million Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, Will Begin Accepting Applications in MayPennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Executive Director Brandon Carson announced the approval of grant guidelines for the Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program, which will provide $200 million in funding to businesses, non-profits, local government, and economic development organizations. The guidelines will be posted on the Authority’s website on Monday, April 10, 2023. The application process for this program will open on May 10, 2023. Read More
Representative Justin Fleming visited the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as he joined Secretary Redding on a tour throughout the building to see various labs in action. Representative Fleming also took some time to sit down and talk about challenges and opportunities in PA agriculture, and support needed from the legislature. See More
Secretary Redding spent a morning in Union County to attend State Representative Stephanie Borowicz’s Farmers Breakfast, reflecting on the exciting times ahead for PA agriculture. See More
Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hostetter attended the 50th anniversary of the Performance-Test Bull Sale at Pennsylvania’s Livestock Evaluation Center in State College. 76 bulls were sold and will now be put to work with their superior genetics ensuring a new generation of higher-quality and more efficient beef cattle to help feed our growing world. See More
Meet a PA Preferred Producer! Mt Airy Orchards, owned by Karen and Dan Paulus, is a family-owned farm located in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. The farm is home to more than 150 acres of fruit trees that provide over 25 varieties of apples, 7 varieties of peaches, as well as nectarines. See MoreBuy Local
Apple Growers Listening Session The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is inviting interested parties to participate in a listening session to discuss the proposed changes to the apple crop insurance program. Details: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Central Time) Virtual Session Meeting URL: Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 265 720 911 373 Passcode: HBLTR2 For audio only (call in): 1-314-530-5560 Passcode: 707132719# Learn More
Penn State’s Butcher School Now Accepting Applications Penn State’s Butcher School has opened applications for the next session of their Butcher Apprenticeship Program. Participants in the program will study on campus for 3 weeks and then be placed with an employer to complete their 3000 hours of on-the-job training. Learn More
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $1 Billion to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Invest in Renewable Energy Systems and Energy-Efficiency Improvements U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is currently accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. Read More
Student Leader Scholarship Applications Now Open The annual Student Leader Scholarship program is open for undergraduate students, including college students and high school seniors, who are pursuing a career in a dairy-related field. Twelve $3,000 scholarships are available through a partnership between the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and the Dairy Excellence Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year. Deadline: Apply by May 1, 2023
Shapiro Administration Invites Applicants For $500,000 In PA Farm Bill Grants To Strengthen Child Nutrition, Hands-On Ag Education Secretary Redding invites schools and childhood education centers to apply for up to $15,000 per school through PA Farm Bill Farm-to-School grants. These grants are available for projects aimed at improving access to healthy, local foods and increasing hands-on learning experiences for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Deadline: Apply by May 19, 2023 Read More
Governor Shapiro Speaks at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 2023 Legislative Conference Governor Josh Shapiro joined Secretary Redding, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau members, and members of the General Assembly at the PA Farm Bureau’s 2023 Annual Legislative Luncheon in Harrisburg. Governor Shapiro shared how his budget would help the agriculture industry of Pennsylvania continue to grow. See More
Representative Justin Fleming visited the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as he joined Secretary Redding on a tour throughout the building to see various labs in action. Representative Fleming also took some time to sit down and talk about challenges and opportunities in PA agriculture, and support needed from the legislature. See More
Secretary Redding, Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hostetter, and Deputy Secretary for Animal Health and Food Safety Lisa Graybeal attended PennAg Industries Association’s annual banquet. Members of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) were recognized for their diligent work to help protect PA’s poultry and the poultry industry. See More.jpeg)
Secretary Redding spent a morning in Union County to attend State Representative Stephanie Borowicz’s Farmers Breakfast, reflecting on the exciting times ahead for PA agriculture. See More.JPG)
Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hostetter attended the 50th anniversary of the Performance-Test Bull Sale at Pennsylvania’s Livestock Evaluation Center in State College. 76 bulls were sold and will now be put to work with their superior genetics ensuring a new generation of higher-quality and more efficient beef cattle to help feed our growing world. See More
Meet a PA Preferred Producer! Mt Airy Orchards, owned by Karen and Dan Paulus, is a family-owned farm located in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. The farm is home to more than 150 acres of fruit trees that provide over 25 varieties of apples, 7 varieties of peaches, as well as nectarines. See MoreBuy Local
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Apple Growers Listening Session The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is inviting interested parties to participate in a listening session to discuss the proposed changes to the apple crop insurance program. Details: Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Penn State’s Butcher School Now Accepting Applications Penn State’s Butcher School has opened applications for the next session of their Butcher Apprenticeship Program. Participants in the program will study on campus for 3 weeks and then be placed with an employer to complete their 3000 hours of on-the-job training. Learn More
Student Leader Scholarship Applications Now Open The annual Student Leader Scholarship program is open for undergraduate students, including college students and high school seniors, who are pursuing a career in a dairy-related field. Twelve $3,000 scholarships are available through a partnership between the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and the Dairy Excellence Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year. Deadline: Apply by May 1, 2023