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Agriculture

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 ...

USDA demands Mexico cooperate to protect US agriculture products

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has sent a letter to her counterpart in Mexico demanding Mexico eliminate restrictions on USDA aircraft and waive customs duties on eradication equipment that are critically impairing the U.S. response to spread of the New World screwworm. Secretary Rollins wrote, “Every delay in granting full operational authority and eliminating customs barriers undermines our collective ability to carry out this emergency response.” Additionally, Secretary Rollins informed the government of Mexico, “…that if these issues are not ...

Redding hosts roundtable in Northampton County

NAZARETH — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Second Harvest Food Bank Associate Executive Director Sarah Wassel and Feeding PA CEO Julie Bancroft recently for a roundtable discussion with local farmers to highlight proposed investments in the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) and the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP). These programs are vital to strengthening Pennsylvania’s food supply chain and ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it, especially with announced federal cuts to support for Pennsylvania farmers and food banks. The ...

Agland Preservation applications 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.” ...

U.S. ag secretary Rollins visits Pa.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Central Pennsylvania in April where she toured Talview Dairy, participated in a farmer roundtable at Martin’s family farm, and visited the Bank of Bird-in-Hand mobile bank to discuss agricultural lending with community leaders. Secretary Rollins was joined by Senator Dave McCormick, House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, and Representatives Dan Meuser, Rob Bresnahan and Lloyd Smucker. Secretary Rollins also wrote a joint opinion piece wrapping up the visit with Senator McCormick. “President Trump and I ...