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Agriculture

Bentz crowned Juniata County Dairy Princess

MEXICO — Kera Bentz, of Richfield, was crowned the 2025-26 Juniata County Dairy Princess on Sunday, May 4, at the Walker Grange, Mexico, Pa. She was crowned by the Pennsylvania Alternate Dairy Princess, Sadie Innerest. Innerest also had some encouraging and motivational comments for the dairy court. Bentz is the 19-year-old daughter of Karen Bentz of Richfield. She has been involved with the Juniata County Dairy Promotion team for six years as she started in 2019 as a dairy maid. Kera is currently attending De’rielle cosmetology school in Millerstown where she will graduate as a ...

USDA participates in targeted SNAP benefit fraud operations

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture Special Investigations Unit, in conjunction with Federal law enforcement partners, conducted operations in early May to target criminals engaged in defrauding American taxpayers by stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. “Fraud will not be tolerated by the Trump Administration. I want to thank our hardworking law enforcement officers who work every day to ensure federal benefits are properly distributed and safeguard taxpayer dollars from criminals,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump is restoring law ...

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 ...