Breaking News

Agriculture

Study: Fireflies at risk due to climate change, urban development

UNIVERSITY PARK — Catching fireflies is an iconic summer experience for many people living in North America, but the flickering beetles are on the decline. New research has identified factors that may be contributing to declining populations. The study, which is available online now and will be published in the June 15 issue of Science of the Total Environment, suggests that fireflies are sensitive to various environmental factors, from short-term weather conditions to longer climatic trends. The team — including researchers from Penn State, the University of Kentucky, Bucknell ...

Big Valley FFA competes at state convention

UNIVERSITY PARK — Big things are happening for the Big Valley FFA Chapter, which attended the 2024 PA FFA State Convention and Activities Week, held June 11-13 at the Pennsylvania State University. Nearly 2,000 FFA members, advisors, supporters and guests gathered throughout the three days ...

Juniata FFA earns high placings

UNIVERSITY PARK — Members of the Juniata FFA Chapter traveled to Penn State University, June 11-13 to compete in the State FFA Convention. Over 1,500 FFA members from across the state competed in Career and Leadership Development Events. J. Charles Telfer earned a 9th place finish in the ...

USDA readying to conduct annual mushroom survey

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be conducting the annual Mushroom Inquiry to document the past growing year. All mushroom growers in Maryland and Pennsylvania will be contacted about growing area, production, and value of sales for the 2023-2024 season as well as growing intentions for the coming year. “It is important that all mushroom growers participate in the inquiry so that accurate statistics are published,” said Kevin Pautler, acting director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. ...

USDA now accepting applications for Organic Certification Funds

HARRISBURG— Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved. “Costs associated with obtaining organic certification can be a barrier for Pennsylvania producers wanting to get ...

Penn State Dairy Products Evaluation team places high at national contest in April

UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State Dairy Products Evaluation Team recently competed in the Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest in Milwaukee, placing high in several categories. The team earned the following awards in the April 17 contest: First Place Butter, Third Place Cheddar Cheese and Third Place Cottage Cheese. Team members included undergraduate students Grace Hwang, Ryland Curran and Fletcher Kanas and graduate students Ashley Ohstrom, Andy Paff, Auja Bywater (alternate) and Paige Sullivan (alternate). All are food science majors. Individual awards won by team ...