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Agriculture

Investment of $1.3 million to help strengthen agricultural workforce

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently announced a $1,325,699 investment in Penn State University’s Agricultural Workforce Development Project to continue Pennsylvania’s legacy as a national agriculture leader. The project, funded through the Farms & Agribusiness Workforce Engagement Grant initiative, aims to strengthen the Commonwealth’s agricultural workforce by increasing awareness of PA CareerLink® services, providing targeted technical assistance for employers in the agriculture sector and training stakeholders to address the ...

Master Gardeners host home gardening school

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension Centre County Master Gardeners present World Wonders to Backyard Bliss: Planting Garden Inspiration March 22 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Penn State’s Forest Resources Building, Park Avenue and Bigler Rd., State College. Amateur and experienced plant lovers can rub elbows, swap stories, and learn from Central PA gardeners at this year’s Home Gardening School. Keynote speaker Heather Andrews, two-time award winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Garden of Distinction, will kick off the day with a presentation on her travels ...

Pennsylvania dairy industry reaches ‘HPAI-free’ status

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s dairy industry has reached a critical “stage four” milestone granting HPAI-free status in the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy, making Pennsylvania the first major U.S. dairy-producing state to achieve this status. The designation indicates that Pennsylvania’s milk supply has been tested adequately to rule out the presence of the virus in the state’s dairy cattle. This achievement is the result of months of collaboration among the Department of Agriculture and federal, industry, and academic partners. While Pennsylvania is the first major ...

Penn State Extension sets meeting in Juniata County

PORT ROYAL — Penn State Extension will hold a 2+2 meeting March 18, 2025 from 7 p.m to 9 p.m. at Spruce Hill Grange, 20378 Rte. 75, Port Royal. All updates will provide 2 core and 2 category Pennsylvania pesticide license credits. Learn more about problems that pester your crops while earning credits for your pesticide license. Penn State Extension Educator Ryan Spelman will offer a presentation on a range of disease and pest issues that were observed in 2024. Penn State Extension Educator Danny Kline will cover the basics of pest management, safe handling and use of pesticides, ...

Government hopes to curb wasteful spending at USDA

WASHINGTON — Recently, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins addressed more than 400 USDA staffers, stakeholders and friends and pledged to bring greater efficiency to USDA to ensure it better serves American farmers, ranchers and the agriculture community. She reviewed findings from the Department of Government Efficiency and welcomes the opportunity to optimize the USDA workforce and stop wasteful spending. “I welcome DOGE’s efforts at USDA because we know that its work makes us better, stronger, faster, and more efficient. I will expect full access and transparency to ...

Penn State Extension holds egg production event on March 22

LEWISTOWN — Whether individuals have an established small poultry flock or are considering starting one, knowing how to manage a surplus of eggs is essential, according to organizers of an upcoming Penn State Extension workshop, “Small Flock Egg Production: From the Coop to the Kitchen.” The workshop will occur March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. It will be a hybrid event, meaning that registrants can choose to attend either virtually or in person at the Mifflin County office of Penn State Extension, 152 E. Market St., Lewistown. The session will cover best management practices ...