Agriculture Secretary Calls For Proposals For $450,000 In PA Farm Bill Research Funds To Tackle Complex Animal Ag Challenges Secretary Redding called for proposals for $450,000 in research grants through the Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence created under the PA Farm Bill. The center, funded at $1 million for 2023-24, is among the critical investments in a robust future for Pennsylvania agriculture in the first budget of Governor Josh Shapiro’s Administration.Read More
Governor Shapiro Gets Stuff Done: Providing Universal Free Breakfast and Securing the Largest Increase in Public Education Funding EverThe 2023-24 budget makes historic investments in K-12 public schools, including a $567 million increase in basic education funding and a $46.5 million increase to provide universal free breakfast for K-12 students.Watch Pennsylvania students talk about free breakfast here. In his first budget address, Governor Shapiro said “the foundation of [safe and strong communities] is an adequate and equitable public education” and called for “universal free breakfast in our schools because students can’t learn on empty stomachs.” The final 2023-2024 budget delivered on both of these promises – creating universal free breakfast for K-12 school students and investing the largest increase in basic education funding in K-12 public schools in Pennsylvania history. Governor Shapiro knows Pennsylvania children cannot and should not be expected to learn on an empty stomach and without the basic resources needed to succeed – and in his first year in office, his Administration delivered for Pennsylvania students and schools.Read More
Secretary Redding recently welcomed Under Secretary Taylor to his hometown of Gettysburg. Under Secretary Taylor serves as the Under Secretary of Foreign Agricultural Affairs. They sat down with producers and discussed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new effort to further support the U.S. specialty crops sector and increase the competitiveness of its products. See More
The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is charged with protecting Pennsylvania’s puppies and dogs, protecting consumers, and protecting our communities from dangerous and stray animals. Learn more about new changes coming to Pennsylvania’s Dog Law in 2024.Read More
The Invasive Species Legislative Dashboard, created by Governor’s Invasive Species Council member, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and PA Natural Heritage Program, is a tool designed for legislators to visualize and learn more about some invasive species, specifically noxious weeds, occurring in their districts. This interactive dashboard provides information on which noxious weed species are present and the negative effects they have on ecology, human health, and the economy. The widespread impacts are meant to illustrate the need for a comprehensive strategy such as PRISMs (Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management) for tackling the invasive species problem in the commonwealth.
Supporting PA farmers and shopping local has never been easier! Check for the check and choose PA Preferred!Buy Local
You’re Invited to the 2024 PA Preferred Reception! Secretary Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks, while connecting with the producers and processors at the 108th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception. The reception is the official kickoff for the 2024 Farm Show, the Pennsylvania State Fair™. The PA Preferred Reception will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, starting at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $40 for the general public, and in honor of the 20th anniversary, $20 for PA Preferred members and are complimentary for PA Preferred Homegrown By Heroes members. The ticket price includes admission to the reception, parking, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a short program featuring the people and products of Pennsylvania agriculture.Learn MoreRSVP
USDA Reminds Specialty Crop Growers of Deadline to Apply for Assistance for 2023 On-Farm Food Safety ExpensesApply by Jan. 31, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop growers that assistance is available for producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification through the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2023 expenses through Jan. 31, 2024. Learn More
Connecting Communities & Opportunities: Building Equity in the Food System Join us on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, PA Preferred Banquet Hall for an event that aims to foster connections and promote equity in the food system. At this in-person gathering, we will bring together individuals, organizations, and communities passionate about creating a fair and inclusive food system for all. Through engaging discussion, we will explore ways to bridge gaps, address disparities, and ensure everyone has access to healthy and sustainable food. The session will feature a dynamic panel from all walks of life across Pennsylvania to share their food stories. Join us to engage in meaningful conversation about the strengths they bring and the challenges they face as we envision the future of our food system. We will ask how we can advance economic and racial justice, and ensure access to nutritious, culturally significant foods and foodways for all. From chefs, farmers and food producers to policymakers and advocates, this event welcomes anyone interested in building a more equitable food system.Learn More
The Organic Agriculture Industry in Pennsylvania: Economic Impact, Market Dynamics, and Opportunities for Growth Please join the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for a presentation and discussion on Organic Farming in Pennsylvania at the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show. When: Friday, January 12, 1 – 2:30 pm Where: The Delaware Room at the Keystone Conference Center (KCC) in the PA Farm Show Complex, located at 2300 North Cameron Street in Harrisburg. KCC can be accessed by going through the MacClay Street entrance and up to the 2nd floor. Description: The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) partnered with E-Consult Solutions, Inc. for an analysis of the economic impact, organic processing needs, market dynamics and opportunities for growth in the organic agriculture industry in PA. The findings of this study will be presented during the January 12th program. While overall the organic industry is expanding across the United States, Pennsylvania has seen a surge in organic agriculture that far surpasses the national average. The January 12th program will include details on:The economic output, job creation, and employee compensation generated by the annual production operations of the organic industry within the Commonwealth.Demand and supply side factors that shape the landscape of organic agriculture in Pennsylvania.The supply chain and potential gaps within the Commonwealth’s organic industry, providing an in-depth exploration of subsectors of the market.Opportunities and potential threats that may impact the future of the organic industry.Recommendations on targeted actions the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can take to ensure the continued growth and success of the organic agriculture industry. Space is limited. Please RSVP by January 5th, 2023 to: Kristen Markley, kmarkley@pa.gov.
Get excited! The 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show is less than a month away!More Info2024 Visitor’s Guide
Agriculture Secretary Calls For Proposals For $450,000 In PA Farm Bill Research Funds To Tackle Complex Animal Ag Challenges Secretary Redding called for proposals for $450,000 in research grants through the Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence created under the PA Farm Bill. The center, funded at $1 million for 2023-24, is among the critical investments in a robust future for Pennsylvania agriculture in the first budget of Governor Josh Shapiro’s Administration.Read More
Secretary Redding recently welcomed Under Secretary Taylor to his hometown of Gettysburg. Under Secretary Taylor serves as the Under Secretary of Foreign Agricultural Affairs. They sat down with producers and discussed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new effort to further support the U.S. specialty crops sector and increase the competitiveness of its products. See More
The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is charged with protecting Pennsylvania’s puppies and dogs, protecting consumers, and protecting our communities from dangerous and stray animals. Learn more about new changes coming to Pennsylvania’s Dog Law in 2024.Read More
The Invasive Species Legislative Dashboard, created by Governor’s Invasive Species Council member, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and PA Natural Heritage Program, is a tool designed for legislators to visualize and learn more about some invasive species, specifically noxious weeds, occurring in their districts. This interactive dashboard provides information on which noxious weed species are present and the negative effects they have on ecology, human health, and the economy. The widespread impacts are meant to illustrate the need for a comprehensive strategy such as PRISMs (Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management) for tackling the invasive species problem in the commonwealth.
Supporting PA farmers and shopping local has never been easier! Check for the check and choose PA Preferred!Buy Local
You’re Invited to the 2024 PA Preferred Reception! Secretary Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks, while connecting with the producers and processors at the 108th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception. The reception is the official kickoff for the 2024 Farm Show, the Pennsylvania State Fair™. The PA Preferred Reception will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, starting at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $40 for the general public, and in honor of the 20th anniversary, $20 for PA Preferred members and are complimentary for PA Preferred Homegrown By Heroes members. The ticket price includes admission to the reception, parking, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a short program featuring the people and products of Pennsylvania agriculture.Learn MoreRSVP