Breaking News

Agriculture

Farm Bill grants to help farms pursue growth opportunities

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center is accepting applications for up to $15,000 in Farm Vitality Planning Grants. The 2026-27 budget includes $500,000 for the PA Farm Bill grant program which supports strategic business planning to expand, diversify, or transition farms to new owners. The Shapiro Administration secured an eighth year of funding for PA Farm Bill initiatives at $13.8 million in a 2026-27 budget that grows Pennsylvania agriculture through smart investments in economic development, job creation, and innovation. “Pennsylvania farmers ...

Chobani to establish its first dairy operation in Pennsylvania

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and Department of Revenue Secretary Pat Browne recently announced the Commonwealth has secured a historic $1.2 billion investment from Chobani to establish its first dairy product manufacturing operation in Pennsylvania. This project, the largest ever private investment in Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, will create 900 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Lehigh Valley and greatly expand ...

USDA announces $7.5 million in grant funding to increase access to real food

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $7.5 million in grant funding available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program. The Program will fund projects to support cold chain equipment investments that help food assistance entities temporarily store, effectively package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods. “The Trump Administration continues to prioritize providing Real Food for Americans. Over the past year and a half, we have worked hard to incentivize healthier options for Americans and today’s ...

Ranchers First Initiatives to rebuild the Great American Beef Herd

Ranchers First Initiatives to rebuild the Great American Beef Herd WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced the Ranchers First Initiative, a sweeping package of actions to continue rebuilding the Great American Beef Herd and put America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply. Building on USDA’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, the Trump Administration is delivering again. American ranchers embody the independent spirit that drove the founding of America, 250 years ago. For more than two centuries, their ...

Resilience on the vines: A Farm to Table Gala

BELLEVILLE — With its scenic backdrop of the rolling countryside dotted with horse-drawn buggies and farms, Brookmere Winery and Vineyard Inn in Belleville played not just host for a legislative tour and Farm to Table Gala organized by the Mifflin County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership ...

Penn State Extension to offer workshop on egg safety for small flocks

SELINSGROVE — Whether individuals have an established small poultry flock or are considering starting one, knowing how to manage a surplus of eggs is essential, according to organizers of an upcoming Penn State Extension workshop. “Small Flock Egg Production: From the Coop to the Kitchen” will teach participants about best management practices for food safety and product quality, covering everything from the chicken coop to the kitchen. The workshop will be Oct. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 3939 Park Rd., Selinsgrove. ...