Weekly Roundup by PA Dept. of Agriculture

 

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Wolf Administration Investments Promote Agriculture Conservation, Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Commitment to Chesapeake Bay Watershed   Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined by conservation partners at Welsh Vista Farms in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County to highlight Wolf Administration investments facilitating on-farm and community conservation management. The Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) program has invested more than $4 million in 68 conservation projects since 2019, strengthening community-based conservation efforts across six counties in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Recap

"Farmers are environmental stewards who are deeply connected to the land," said Redding. "The Conservation Excellence Grant program is designed to support farmers in their pursuits to strengthen on-farm conservation practices. We recognize that conservation projects can come at a cost, which is why strategic investments like CEG are so important. The CEG program is empowering farmers to pursue conservation, and in return, it is safeguarding natural resources for generations to come." See More

While in Luzerne County, Secretary Redding met with Wayne Kreisl as he reviewed market prices for hogs and shared the storied history of their USA Pork Packers business. See More

In Monroe County, Secretary Redding had the pleasure of visiting Pocono Organics for a walk through of their facility, including the new Rodale Institute Pocono Resource Center, to see first-hand how organics are benefiting PA Agriculture. See More

Secretary Redding along with Executive Deputy Secretary, Gregory Hostetter, attended the PennAg Industries Association’s annual banquet as individuals were recognized for their contributions to Pennsylvania agriculture.  See More

Secretary Redding had the chance to take part in the Univest Ag Summit in Lancaster County to have conversations about the financial wellbeing of farming. See More

Secretary Redding met with Morning in America to highlight grants, loans and other programs as part of the PA Farm Bill.  See More

Pennsylvania Invests $9.7 Million To Protect 40 Farms In 19 Counties From Development; Leverages $735,170 In Federal Dollars To Preserve More Farms   Pennsylvania protected 3,528 acres on 40 farms in 19 counties from future development, investing more than $9.7 million in state, and county dollars in preserving prime farmland for tomorrow. The investment also leverages $735,170 that will go toward preserving farms on waitlists in six counties. The approvals bring Pennsylvania's total to 6,044 farms and 611,620 acres of farmland that will be forever protected from commercial, industrial or residential development.   The 40 newly preserved farms are in Adams, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Erie, Franklin, Greene, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Monroe, Northampton, Snyder, Tioga and York counties. Read More

Agriculture Department Orders Temporary Ban On Poultry, Egg Exhibitions To Protect Poultry Industry From Avian Influenza   To further protect Pennsylvania's $7.1 billion poultry industry from the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced a temporary quarantine order banning the exhibition of poultry and eggs at county and local fairs in Pennsylvania. The ban takes effect Saturday, April 16 and will last for 60 days or until the department rescinds the order. Read More

Gov. Wolf Announces $11 Million in Workforce Development Funding for PAsmart Apprenticeship Programs   Governor Tom Wolf announced awards totaling more than $11 million for 26 apprenticeship programs that will empower Pennsylvania workers to earn while they learn and support Pennsylvania businesses in building a pipeline of talent for occupations in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, IT, education, human services, building trades and more. Read More

DEP Visits Dries Orchards In Northumberland County To View LED Lighting Project And Discuss Agricultural Energy Efficiency Rebate Program   The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) visited Dries Orchards to tour their apple packing and storage facility and learn how a recent LED lighting upgrade, funded in part by a DEP Agricultural Energy Efficiency Rebate, has benefited their operation.  Read More

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program   H-2A is a U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) program facilitated by the State to assist agricultural employers to find the temporary workers they need for agricultural or certain food process work. When U.S. workers are unavailable, qualified employers may become certified to bring in temporary nonimmigrant foreign guest workers to fill these jobs. Employers must provide paid transportation, free housing, and wages specified by federal and state laws. Learn More

2022-2023 Agriculture Research Grant Program   The Department of Agriculture (Department) is soliciting applications to conduct agricultural research on one or more of the following research topic areas, with the research to be conducted from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, with the possibility, but not the assurance, of extending that research into subsequent years.   The 2022-2023 Agriculture Research Grant Program is now open and accepting applications until Friday, May 13. Learn More

Your Voice. Your Future. Your Opportunity.   If you are an agricultural producer and have never received NASS censuses or surveys, sign up to be counted today. The deadline to sign up to be counted in the 2022 Census of Agriculture is June 30. Learn More

"Protecting Your Profits" Webinar The Center for Dairy Excellence is hosting a special edition of its monthly “Protecting Your Profits” webinar on Wednesday, April 27 from 12-1 PM. The event will feature Sam Miller, Managing Director of Agriculture Banking at BMO Harris Bank, who will discuss increasing interest rates, inflation, and how these could impact dairy producers and the industry as a whole.  Webinar Info

Pennsylvania DEP Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program   DEP’s new Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate program can help defray the costs of LED lighting or variable frequency drives for your farm. Applicants must meet the definition of a normal farming operation under Pennsylvania’s Right to Farm Law to be eligible for a rebate: production of agricultural crops and commodities that takes place on (1) not less than 10 contiguous acres in area; or (2) less than 10 contiguous acres in area but has an anticipated yearly gross income of at least $10,000.   Deadline: Rebates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available through June 30, 2022.

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