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Agriculture

Master Gardeners of Juniata Valley to hold spring gardening workshop

LEWISTOWN — The Spring Gardening Workshop will be March 23 at the Mifflin County Penn State Extension Office located at 152 E. Market St., Suite 100, in Lewistown. The workshop is for both experienced and beginner gardeners that are at least 18 years of age. Presentations will start at 9 a.m. and continue to noon. The Master Gardeners will share information about “Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden,” “Drought Tolerant Plants,” “Plant this, Not That” and “Stop the Spotted Lanternfly.” Cost for the workshop is $5. Register at ...

Mifflin County Farm Bureau spring meeting March 27

ALLENSVILLE — The Mifflin County Farm Bureau spring meeting will be held Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Family Restaurant in Allensville. Cost is $16.95 per person. RSVP by Wednesday, March 20 by contacting Tina Goss at (717) 543-6128; gossfamilyfarm@gmail.com or Sonieta Harrop at (717) 437-5818; slharrop61@ gmail.com.

USDA to measure milk production in northeast

HARRISBURG — Thousands of milk producers across the country will receive surveys from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) as the agency collects information for the 2024 Milk Production reports. “The dairy industry is an important component of the Northeast’s agriculture, and it is crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector,” said Acting Director Charles Butler, regional director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. NASS conducts the Milk Production survey in the region every January, April, July, and ...

USDA releases new equity plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the Updated Equity Action Plan. The plan outlines the actions USDA will take to advance equity and improve access to its programs and services for all stakeholders and communities. “USDA is committed to improving access to our programs, equipping people with the resources they need, and improving America’s food system to create more, better and fairer markets for producers and consumers alike,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I am proud of the work we have done and will continue to do. The ...

Agriculture Secretary kicks off Pennsylvania maple-tapping season

HARRISBURG — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently kicked off Pennsylvania’s maple tapping-season at Dewy Meadows Farm in Warren Center, Bradford County, celebrating Pennsylvania’s maple syrup industry alongside the Pennsylvania Maple Producers Council and Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council. “Pennsylvania agriculture is a sweet business to be in,” Redding said. “There’s no better place to tell that story than on a family-run maple farm like Dewy Meadows.” Pennsylvania is the nation’s 5th largest producer of pure maple syrup, producing nearly 200,000 ...

Governor announces grant opportunity for apprenticeship programs in organic agriculture

HARRISBURG — The Shapiro Administration has announced a new grant opportunity that will help more Pennsylvanians chart their own course in the organic agriculture industry. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is inviting organizations to apply for grants up to $350,000 for earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship opportunities for Pennsylvanians interested in agricultural occupations, including certified organic farmers. “Organic farming has a bright future in Pennsylvania, so we need to make sure this growing agriculture sector has the robust workforce needed to ...