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Agriculture

Ag secretary highlights bill to protect pollinators

DEVON — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Senator Carolyn Comitta recently met at Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens in Chester County to discuss and see how Senate Bill 1193, the Plant and Pollinator Protection Act, will benefit food production, plant nurseries and beekeepers, as well as Pennsylvania's economy. Pennsylvania's nursery and landscaping industry generates $4.1 billion for the state economy and is responsible for more than 63,000 jobs. More than 80% of flowering plants must be pollinated to reproduce. This includes apples, peaches, tomatoes, berries, pumpkins, grapes ...

USDA now accepting applications to help offset milk loss due to H5N1

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began accepting applications on July 1 through its updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to provide financial assistance to eligible dairy producers who incur milk losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as H5N1 infection in their dairy herds. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded ELAP through the rule-making process to assist with a portion of financial losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle are removed from commercial milking in ...

USDA to conduct annual potato processing survey

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is encouraging potato producers and agribusinesses to respond to the Annual Potato Processing survey. Potato Processors make up a significant share of the United States economy. In recent years, the majority of potatoes grown within the U.S. were utilized for processing, and most potato exports consisted of processed potatoes. The results of this survey will be used to establish final USDA statistics about the 2023 potato crop processing for official processing states. Data collected ...

Hyde to take reins for Penn State Extension

UNIVERSITY PARK — Jeffrey Hyde, most recently a professor and administrator at Texas A&M University, has returned to Pennsylvania to become director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He started in his new role April 25. Hyde takes the reins from Katherine Cason, professor of food science and former associate director of extension, who had been the interim director since June 2023. As director, Hyde will oversee program planning; budget, facilities and human resource management; and government, industry and constituent relations. He ...

FSA seeks nominations for county committees

WASHINGTON — Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024. “Serving on a Farm Service Agency county committee is your chance to ensure that other producers who share your interests, your production practices, and your perspective are represented. County ...

Mifflin County Beef Club meets

REEDSVILLE — The Mifflin County Beef Club held its monthly meeting at the Mifflin County Youth Park in Reedsville on June 13. Members brought their 4-H steers and heifers to participate in hoof trimming and a mock show. Animals’ hooves were trimmed by Paul Neer Hoof Trimming. The mock ...