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Agriculture

USDA announces new state directors for Farm Service Agency

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles. “When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Secretary Rollins. FSA ...

Mifflin County Agland Preservation applications now being accepted

BURNHAM — Mifflin County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board has announced that applications will be accepted until the close of business on May 30, 2025 for the Mifflin County Agland Preservation Program. Generally known as the “Conservation Easement Program,” Mifflin County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program is now preparing to enter its 32nd year of operation. The purpose of the program is to permanently preserve our most valuable and productive agricultural land through the purchase or donation of conservation easements, often called “development rights”. ...

USDA offers farm loans for beginning farmers

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers farm ownership and farm operating loans to beginning farmers and ranchers. Beginning farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for FSA direct or guaranteed loans. “Farming and ranching is a capital-intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers start and maintain their agricultural operations,” said Daniel Smeal, FSA Deputy State Executive Director in Pennsylvania. “FSA loans are designed to make sure that ...

Manure Management Plan workshop in Snyder County

MIDDLEBURG — Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (DEP) regulations require any operation or entity that raises or boards animals, produces or receives animal manure, regardless of animal type (equine, poultry, livestock, exotic animals, etc.) or animal number have a manure management plan (MMP). Recently, DEP has developed a simpler MMP version for very small operations. The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) will hold a free workshop for small operations to learn about how to complete the simpler MMP version. The one-hour workshop is set for Thursday, June 5 ...

Officials visit Oklahoma to highlight energy efforts

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the Hamm Institute at Oklahoma State University (OSU) with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for the Powering AI: Global Leadership Summit. The Cabinet members were joined by Representative Stephanie Bice and Representative Frank Lucas. “President Donald J. Trump is working to get America back on track—and that starts with responsible use of our federal lands for energy and mineral production. We have hit the ground running at USDA. Through bold leadership ...

Winter injury is observed in ornamental plantings

UNIVERSITY PARK — Spring has sprung and while the change is welcome, it is often when horticulturists see problems that got a foothold last year emerge. Case in point – browning evergreens. Extension educators and staff across the state have received reports about various species of evergreens with brown tips, dieback and possible fungal infection. Already in 2025, plants reported with winter injury symptoms include arborvitae, cypress, holly, rhododendron, boxwood, pachysandra, and mahonia. For many of these plantings, the problem may have started last summer and fall when much of ...