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Agriculture

Pennsylvania ranks third in national trout value of sales

HARRISBURG — The total value of fish sales received by trout growers in Pennsylvania totaled $7.39 million for 2023, a slight increase from 2022. Pennsylvania accounted for 7% of the total value of fish sold in the United States, ranking Pennsylvania third nationally behind Idaho and North Carolina, according to Charles E. Butler, Acting Regional Director of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northeastern Regional Office. The number of trout 12 inches and longer sold during 2023 totaled 870 thousand fish, down 20% from the previous year. The average price per pound was ...

Pa. wine production reaches fourth in nation

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has released findings from its 2023 study, Economic Impact of the Pennsylvania Grape and Wine Industry. The study, funded by the department’s Wine Marketing and Research Program, found that the industry supports 10,756 jobs, paying wages of $518.2 million, and directly contributing $1.77 billion to the state economy annually. Pennsylvania ranks 4th in wine production in the nation, up from 5th in 2018. Grape production in PA has grown by about 970 tons per year in that period. Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget provides ...

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 ...