PDA Roundup: $1.75 Million State Investment in ByHeart, Inc. Supports PA's Dairy Industry and Creates 50 New, Local Jobs

 

Agriculture Secretary Highlights $1.75 Million Support For New, PA Dairy-Based Infant Nutrition Operation Creating 50 Jobs   Governor Tom Wolf and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding highlighted a $1.75 million state investment in ByHeart, Inc., supporting Pennsylvania's dairy industry and creating 50 new, local jobs. ByHeart, Pennsylvania's first FDA-approved infant formula manufacturing facility, is expanding infant nutrition options for parents and improving the market for Pennsylvania dairy. Read More

"ByHeart is providing wholesome, nutritious formula for our youngest Pennsylvanians," said Secretary Redding. "We are proud to support companies like ByHeart that embody the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of Pennsylvania agriculture. They're a family-owned business that saw a need from their own family experiences and are now creating healthy options for Pennsylvania families and farmers." Recap

While in Hershey, Secretary Redding attended the PSATS Legislative Reception. Along with the team, he had the pleasure of speaking with Representative Pam Snyder and PSATS Executive Director David Sanko.  See More

Secretary Redding and team met with Feeding Pennsylvania to talk about a project to analyze and streamline data around the charitable network that will gather information to better serve clients. See More

While in Lancaster County, Secretary Redding spent time with the UK Delegation, who was able to learn about the opportunities PA agriculture has to offer, including agribusiness, sustainability, producer standards, food processing, and animal welfare. See More

Secretary Redding was joined by Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer Jr. as they attended the 2022 Hemp Trade Show and Summit, highlighting the nearly $1 million investment the Wolf Administration has made to grow the hemp industry. See More

Secretary Redding and Nina met with the Hollabaugh family to celebrate Amanda and Jennifer Hollabaugh’s many 4-H program endeavors.   It was a great opportunity to highlight the work they have done and all they have accomplished as their careers come to a close.  See More

PA Agriculture Secretary Highlights Investments Strengthening PA Hemp Industry at Hemp Summit   Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding opened the 2022 Pennsylvania Hemp Summit, welcoming nearly 100 hemp growers and entrepreneurs to the conference and trade show. There, he highlighted nearly $1 million in Wolf Administration investments strengthening the commonwealth's hemp industry. Read More

First Lady Frances Wolf Visits Bloomsburg University to Discuss College Hunger and Affordability   First Lady Frances Wolf visited Bloomsburg University’s Basic Needs Shoppe – a food and basic needs pantry designed to support Bloomsburg students – and joined students and staff for The Realities of Food Insecurity: A Discussion on Hunger, Policy, and Advocacy, a panel discussion on college hunger. First Lady Wolf addressed the growing need for resources for students experiencing food and basic needs insecurity and discussed Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed $1 million investment to address college hunger and $200 million investment to create the Nelly Bly Tuition Program in the 2022-23 state budget. Read More

Gov. Wolf: Country View Family Farms Chooses Pennsylvania for $47.3 Million Expansion that Will Create 51 New Jobs in Union County   Governor Tom Wolf announced that Country View Family Farms, LLC  has selected Pennsylvania for its more than $47.3 million feed mill expansion project that will create at least 51 new good-paying jobs in Union County. Read More

Pennsylvania ranks second in value of total direct food sales, says USDA   Over 6,200 Pennsylvania farms produced and sold food locally through direct marketing practices, resulting in $600 million in revenue in 2020, according to King Whetstone, director of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Northeastern Regional Field Office. The data covers both fresh and value-added foods, such as meat and cheese.  Read More

Let’s Keep Our Poultry Healthy Together   By practicing good biosecurity, you can reduce the risk of people, animals, equipment, or vehicles carrying infectious diseases onto your property.

Protect Against Wild Birds, Rodents, and Insects   Equipment and Vehicles Personnel and Visitors   Cleaning and Disinfecting Poultry Enclosures

2022-2023 Agriculture Research Grant Program   The Department of Agriculture 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, 2022. Learn More

Adopt a Cow" Program Brings Agriculture to the Classroom, Opens for Enrollment on May 1   Discover Dairy’s “Adopt a Cow” program will open for enrollment for the 2022-23 school year beginning May 1. The free program, which has impacted more than 800,000 students worldwide, is a year-long, interactive learning opportunity that gives students an inside look at a dairy farm in the United States. Students participate in exciting activities featuring the calves on the farm and the dairy farmers who manage the operation. Each classroom that enrolls in the Adopt a Cow program is paired with a calf from a dairy farm. Teachers and students receive photos, video updates, and activity sheets throughout the school year that allow them to watch their calf grow.   Deadline: The sign-up period closes on September 15, 2022.  Learn More

Pennsylvania Farm to Child Nutrition Summit   Join Project PA on June 23rd, 2022 for the Pennsylvania Farm to Child Nutrition Summit. This first of its kind event is being coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition and Project PA (Penn State University) with the support of the Pennsylvania Farm to School Network. Funding is provided by a USDA Farm to School grant. The summit will be held at the picturesque Ag Progress Days site, outside of State College in Centre County. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.   Registration deadline: June 8th, 2022 or until capacity is reached, whichever comes first. Learn More

Support Your Local Small Businesses   Let the countdown begin to Pennsylvania Small Business Week 2022. From May 1-7 support small businesses or get a head start on your new business venture with the PA Business One-Stop Shop. Learn More

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture | 2301 N. Cameron Street | Harrisburg, PA 17110