REEDSVILLE — Penn State Master Gardeners of the Juniata Valley will hold their annual plant sale on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be held at Mifflin County Airport, 547 Airport Road, Reedsville. The annual plant sale will include perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and native pollinator plants. There will be kids’ activities and displays. Penn State Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a memorandum to all state agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) making it clear states must ensure SNAP benefits are provided with an expectation that those who can work, do. “Since my confirmation, I have reiterated that the states are our partners, and this includes ensuring our nutrition programs are tied to putting Americans back to work,” said Secretary Rollins. “It is important to remind states that Congress conditioned the receipt of benefits by able-bodied adults without ...
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Jaye L. Hamby as the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). As Director, Dr. Hamby will lead USDA’s efforts to advance agricultural innovation, community outreach, and fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders. “Dr. Hamby’s deep-rooted experience in agriculture—from hands-on work in farming to decades of leadership in research and innovation—makes him the ideal choice to lead NIFA,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Dr. ...
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced key presidential appointments to the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area. These appointees will lead efforts to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and ensure that farmers, ranchers, and producers have the support they need to keep feeding, fueling, and clothing America. “FPAC is the most farmer-facing mission area at USDA, housing the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service—agencies producers rely on every day,” said U.S. ...
HARRISBURG — USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2025 Maple Syrup Inquiry in the Northeastern Region. The survey will collect information from approximately 1,800 Northeastern producers. Maple syrup producers, processors and commodity markets rely on the data from this survey to make informed business decisions and help promote the industry. “The Northeastern Region produced 5.05 million gallons of maple syrup in 2024. Vermont was the top Maple Syrup state with 53% of the United States’ maple syrup,” according to David Knopf, director of ...
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will offer “Plants in the Park: Plant Identification Walk” on multiple dates and locations from April to November. Led by Cathryn Pugh, forestry and wildlife extension educator, each session will feature a leisurely walk through a state park, where participants will discover common plants and learn the basics of plant identification. The workshop will cover botany terminology, plant identification of common species and wildlife uses of plants. Walks will be up to 0.5 miles on gentle paths, with restrooms nearby. Participants should wear ...