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 | | Wolf Administration Highlights Investments in Agritourism, Conservation, Education at Columbia County Farm
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined by FFA students, Rohrbach’s Farm Market
staff and leadership from Soil Bound LLC to tour Rohrbach’s market and
orchards which sit on 59 acres of preserved farmland, part of
Pennsylvania’s $9.7 million investment in farmland preservation. The
farm exemplifies how the commonwealth’s public investments feed dollars
into our economy and create jobs and tourism and education opportunities
while conserving land and resources for a successful future.
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| “Agritourism
strengthens business diversification, increases farm revenue,
entertains and educates consumers and stimulates local economies by
providing jobs and fresh, local
foods and goods to their communities. It’s a creative, interactive way
for farms to reach their financial needs,” said Secretary Redding.
“Rohrbach Farm is a great example of how communities are strengthening
the visions of local food systems and setting a precedent for land
conservation and preservation to ensure the success of generations to
come.”
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| While
in Lancaster, Secretary Redding joined Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and the
Chesapeake Bay Commission to plant a streamside forest buffer to improve
the water quality of Landis Run and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.
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| Western
Regional Director Mark Critz attended a mental health awareness
conference in Indiana County. Representative Jim Struzzi spoke to
attendees on the importance mental health funding. The Indiana County
commissioners issued a proclamation on behalf of mental health month,
highlighting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s AgriStress Helpline.
The AgriStress HelpLine is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 833-897-AGRI.
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| Secretary Redding was joined by county commissioners as he visited Dan and Cindy Komarinski's Fayette County farm.
The Komarinski farm was forever preserved by the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation program in 2003.
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| | Wolf
Administration Joins Chesapeake Bay Commission At Planting In Lancaster
County To Highlight Stream Buffers For Role In Addressing Water Quality
Conservation and Natural Resources
(DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Agriculture Secretary Russell
Redding joined members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission to plant a streamside forest buffer in Lancaster to improve the water quality of Landis Run, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.
“Streamside buffers are a best
management practice that slow down flooding caused by severe weather and
improve water quality, require less mowing, cool the water, hold and
store carbon, and provide food and shelter for pollinators and wildlife,
Dunn said. “We welcome commission members from Pennsylvania and our
partner states in this hands on effort with a big impact.”
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| Pennsylvania Small Business Week 2022, May 1-7, reminds us to celebrate and support small businesses in our local communities.
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| | Gov. Wolf Encourages Pennsylvanians to Support Small Businesses for Community Success
Governor Tom Wolf highlighted his
legacy of support for Pennsylvania’s small businesses and encouraged
Pennsylvanians to support the small businesses we all rely on every day,
as they’re critical to supporting the local workforce and economy.
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| | Celebrate Pennsylvania Small Business Week by visiting one of your favorite PA Preferred small businesses!
Sweet Valley Suris,
a local PA Preferred alpaca and sheep fiber producer, was started after
Brion and Kristie Smoker saw their first Suri alpaca in 2005 at the
Pennsylvania Farm Show. This played a huge role in what turned into
their breeding and alpaca product business known today with items (Sweet
Valley Shoppes) sold at the Farmstead Market in Palmyra, PA!
When you support and shop local you are directly supporting PA’s agriculture business and boosting the economy.
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| | Biosecurity is the key to keeping our nation’s poultry healthy. USDA’s Defend the Flock education
program offers free tools and resources to help everyone who works with
or handles poultry follow proper biosecurity practices. These practices
will help keep your birds healthy and reduce the risk of avian
influenza and other infectious diseases.
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| | The Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council is launching the first Pennsylvania Native Species Day on Friday, June 17.
Goal: To help more
Pennsylvanians celebrate native plant, tree, fish, insect, and other
species, and learn about the pressures that invasive nonnative species
present to their survival.
There are many actions that farms,
educators, community and professional organizations, business owners,
government offices, and residents can take to participate. You might go
big with an idea for an activity you may have, or you can do something
small and easily incorporated into your regular programming.
Looking for ideas for activities?
There will be suggestions such as a communications toolkit for
participants that will include a Governor's Proclamation of Pennsylvania
Native Species Day, as well as key messages, graphics, and suggested
social media posts.
For more information and materials, please visit the website or contact Deb Klenotic at dklenotic@pa.gov, or 717-649-9136, if you have any questions.
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| Sustainable Livelihoods and Behavioral Health: Strategies and Partnerships to Address Farm Stress and Suicide
May 17, 18, 19, 2022 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM ET.
Throughout the past several years, the
farm economy has faced tremendous challenges, even prior to the
COVID-19 pandemic. While mental health is a struggle many Americans
face, there are a significant number of rural Americans working through
tough mental health situations.
The event convenes leaders from Federal agencies, the farming and
ranching sector, technical assistance providers, as well as individuals
and other strategic partners, to focus on current challenges, the USDA
response, as well as best practices and strategies addressing farm and
ranch stress.
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| National Organic Survey Needs Your Input!
Are you certified organic? If you have not yet mailed in your organic survey, please visit this site to fill out your survey on-line.
The survey asks producers to provide
information on acreage, production, and sales as well as production and
marketing practices. This effort is critical to help determine the
economic impact of certified organic agriculture production both in the
country and in Pennsylvania! Results from previous surveys helped the
Commonwealth prioritize funding to support producers and processors
interested in transitioning to certified organic.
The results from the 2019 organic survey
determined that Pennsylvania ranks 3rd in the nation in organic sales
and #1 in organic livestock & poultry, eggs, and mushrooms.
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| 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.
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| The
PA Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) 2022 Growing Greener
Plus and FY2023 Section 319 Grant Rounds are officially open!
You can find more information, including the guidance documents, sample forms, and recorded webinars, posted here:
Deadline: The applications are due on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 5:00 PM.
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| Adopt a Cow" Program Brings Agriculture to the Classroom
Discover Dairy’s
“Adopt a Cow” program 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.
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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture | 2301 N. Cameron Street | Harrisburg, PA 17110
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