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Agriculture

Mifflin County Conservation District announces grant application period

BURNHAM — Farm operations can now apply for funding through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) to install best management practices, including waste storage facilities and mortality composters, forest and grass buffers, stream and wetland restoration and heavy use area protection to name a few. Funding for the ACAP Program was originally created through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Clean Streams Fund and was established with the goal of reducing non-point source pollution to surface and groundwater supplies, officials said in a press release. The program ...

NRCS announces additional funding opportunity for any preserved farms

HARRISBURG — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania is making $2 million available to landowners with preserved farms to install conservation best management practices, or BMPs. Available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), this additional funding opportunity is available to landowners with preserved farms who have previously submitted an application to NRCS and award is contingent on funds available. This will help landowners further their conservation efforts on preserved farms to improve water and air quality, enhance soil ...

Snyder County Farmers winter meeting is Feb. 14

MIDDLEBURG — Farmers who attend the Snyder County Farmers winter meeting on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 will learn about important topics, including ways to increase soil organic matter and rainfall infiltration in crop fields, local and federal opportunities available for farmers, ways to improve pastures, way to improve a woodlot, ways to prevent pesticide drift, the best ways to manage crop pests and more. Visit local vendors before the meeting and during breaks. The meeting will be at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 3939 Park Rd., Selinsgrove. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The ...

Protections for Pactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed finalized

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has signed Public Land Order 7956, finalizing protections for the Pactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed on the Black Hills National Forest from the potential effects of mineral exploration and development. This order follows a request from the U.S. Forest Service to close 20,510 acres of National Forest System land to sale or exchange and mineral entry and leasing, for a 20-year period, subject to valid existing rights. Non-federal lands and minerals are not subject to the withdrawal. This action responds to requests from Tribes ...

Dairy servings provide vital calcium and other nutrients

Hi. My name is Natalee Zug, a 2024-25 Juniata County dairy maid. Are you always looking to try something new for dinner in your household? My mom likes to make sure that our family’s dinners aren’t boring. Here is one of my favorite recipes that my mom makes for us. Our family loves everything cheesy! This recipe contains just that. Remember, it is important to be sure to get your three servings a day of dairy. Dairy is good for your body and brain. Did you know drinking milk and eating dairy goods makes it easy for kids to receive the bone building calcium and other ...

United States has prevailed in dispute over biotech corn

WASHINGTON — United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai has announced that the United States has prevailed in its dispute under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) challenging certain Mexican biotechnology measures concerning genetically engineered (GE) corn. The USMCA panel agreed with the United States on all seven legal claims, finding that Mexico’s measures are not based on science and undermine the market access that Mexico agreed to provide in the USMCA. “We commend the dispute settlement panel for its thorough and impartial assessment, which affirms ...