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Agriculture

Penn State Extension to offer ‘Biocontrol School’ in December

UNIVERSITY PARK — Interested in learning about sustainable pest control? Penn State Extension will hold "Biocontrol School" Dec. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Lancaster. The workshop is aimed at greenhouse and vegetable growers, crop consultants, Master Gardeners, educators, and anyone interested in learning about sustainable pest control. Industry and academic experts will join experienced growers to share the latest advancements in biocontrol research and application. The workshop will help participants understand biological control; ...

USDA invests in rural farmer communities to lower energy costs

BRUNSWICK, Maine — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program. USDA is investing $163 million in loans, grants and technical assistance that will support 338 clean energy projects in 39 States and Guam. Many of the projects are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. “The administration is partnering with people in rural ...

Select commodity tables released for agricultural projections

WASHINGTON — On Nov. 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released selected tables from the upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2034 report prepared in support of the president’s annual budget process as defined in the Budget Control Act. These tables will include 10-year projections for major U.S. crops and livestock products and will be followed in February 2025 by USDA’s Agricultural Projections to 2034 report that will include a full discussion of the commodity supply and use projections and projections for farm income and global commodity trade. These ...

Grant program to help small farms

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently announced the availability of approximately $1.8 million in grant funding to support workforce development and human resources assistance for farms and agribusinesses across the Commonwealth. The Farms & Agribusiness Workforce Engagement Grant is a two-year initiative designed to support Pennsylvania’s small and mid-sized agricultural operations by improving their recruitment and retention of skilled workers and implementing effective hiring practices to prevent closures and layoffs. The ...

Eberly ranked ninth in Pa. Angus registrations

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo. — Glenn D. Eberly, of Milroy, ranked as the ninth largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in Pennsylvania with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, according to Mark McCully, association chief executive officer. Angus breeders across the nation in 2024 registered 302,716 head of Angus cattle. “Our Association members lead the industry in adopting new technology and breeding the most problem-free cattle for their customers,” McCully said. “Cattlemen across the country continue to find registered Angus ...

Pa. invests over $6.7M in conservation easement

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania is investing $6,765,102 to purchase development rights for 1,953 acres on 28 farms in 16 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development. These conservation easement purchases ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities and jobs in the future. “Saving Pennsylvania’s fertile farmland for producing food, rather than losing it to warehouses and suburban sprawl is one of our biggest challenges,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Pennsylvania’s ...