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Agriculture

USDA strengthens U.S. energy security

ATLANTIC, Iowa — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release obligated funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects totaling $537 million in 29 states. This includes new projects approved within the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and advances President Trump’s Jan. 20 Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy, underscoring our commitment to farmers, ranchers and small business owners in rural areas, and their essential role in building a stronger, ...

USDA delivers on rural energy commitments

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy For America Program (REAP), Empowering Rural America (New ERA) and Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) programs. This announcement underscores the Trump Administration’s commitment to rural communities — including the farmers, ranchers, and small businesses at their core — and their essential role in building a stronger, more energy secure America. Recipients will have 30 days to review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with President ...

April 15 deadline to enroll in USDA’s safety net programs

HARRISBURG — Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2025 crop year. In Pennsylvania producers have completed 23,141 contracts to date, representing 76% of the more than 30,292 expected ...

Learn your shepherding ABCs at May 3 workshop

UNIVERSITY PARK — An upcoming Penn State Extension workshop is aimed at equipping sheep producers with skills in animal evaluation, biosecurity and culling. “The ABCs of Shepherding: Assessment, Biosecurity and Culling” workshop will be May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Penn State Beef and Sheep Center, 532 Orchard Rd., State College. This hands-on workshop is aimed at sheep producers, goat producers, livestock veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Through expert-led sessions and live demonstrations, participants will explore the ABCs of shepherding — assessment, ...

USDA expediting $10 billion in assistance to ag producers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. “Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “With clear ...

USDA update on combatting avian flu

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins hosted a stakeholder update recently to provide the first progress report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) five-pronged strategy to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and lower egg prices. Less than a month after the plan’s rollout, USDA reports significant advancements across all five areas. “Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting the relief they need, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” said Secretary Rollins. “USDA is making targeted investments ...