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Agriculture

$6.3B investment by USDA made to strengthen rural infrastructure

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is investing $6.3 billion in rural and Tribal communities across 44 states to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water and create good-paying jobs. “The Biden-Harris Administration invests in rural America, because we know strong communities are rooted in their people,” Secretary Vilsack said. “These investments will build modern infrastructure that will attract employers to the nation’s smallest towns and most remote communities, creating jobs, ...

Central Juniata 4-H Livestock Club meeting notes

MEXICO, Pa. — The Central Juniata 4-H Livestock Club held its November and December meetings at the Walker Grange Building in Mexico. During the November meeting, there was a reorganization of officers. The club also talked about 4-H fair dates and tagging dates for project animals. At the December meeting, the club had its Christmas meal and finalized fair dates for July 20-24, 2025. Members worked on a community service project, making Christmas ornaments for local nursing homes. Tagging dates: Jan. 25: Market beef March 29: Dairy feeders and market rabbit does May 3: ...

USDA to survey sheep, goat, cattle operations

HARRISBURG — Starting in late December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will measure sheep and goat inventories and wool and mohair production during a nationwide survey. “Interest in sheep and goat data continues to grow with increased diversification in agriculture and consumer demands,” said Northeastern Regional Director Dave Knopf. “The Sheep and Goat Survey gives producers the opportunity to report the latest information on conditions and trends in the industry.” Operators surveyed will be asked to provide ...

NASS to conduct Census of Horticultural Specialties in 2024

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties this winter to provide a comprehensive picture of the U.S. horticulture industry. Survey codes will be mailed this month to more than 40,000 horticulture producers to respond online. Collected just once every five years, the Census of Horticultural Specialties is the only source of detailed production and sales data for U.S. floriculture, nursery, and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food crops. “Horticulture is ...

Over $2B to strengthen specialty crops sector

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. Specifically, the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops. USDA is also creating the Commodity ...

NASS to collect info on quarterly bee colony loss

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be collecting information about colony loss in the honey industry throughout the United States. The next Quarterly Colony Loss survey will be conducted during January of 2025. This survey collects information about colony inventory and loss from more than 400 producers with honeybee colonies in the Northeastern Region of the United States. “The information from these surveys directly impacts our region’s beekeepers and honey producers,” said David Knopf, regional director ...