Breaking News

Agriculture

Dairy of Distinction award applications due by April 15

UNIVERSITY PARK — Pennsylvania dairy producers are invited to apply for the Dairy of Distinction award from the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction Program. Applications must be submitted by April 15. This program was initiated in 1987 in Pennsylvania by Penn State retired dairy extension specialist, Steve Spencer. According to Mike O’Connor, retired Penn State extension specialist and current advisor to the program, the award is based on Spencer’s concept that attractive farmsteads promote a positive dairy image and will help to enhance consumer confidence in the wholesomeness ...

Mifflin County Conservation District announces grant application period

BURNHAM — Farm operations can now apply for funding through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) to install best management practices such as waste storage facilities/mortality composters, forest and grass buffers, stream and wetland restoration, and heavy use area protection to name a few. Funding for the ACAP Program was created through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Clean Streams Fund and was established with the goal of reducing nonpoint source pollution to surface and groundwater supplies. The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission ...

USDA announces 2022 Census of Agriculture data release details

Editor’s Note: This is a monthly column from the Northeastern Regional Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS-NERFO). The website is www.nass.usda.gov; for the reports mentioned below, click on the “Publications” tab. The 2022 Census of Agriculture data will be released on Feb. 13, 2024. Data collection was concluded last summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61%. The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than 3 million producers across the United States late last year. Early next year, we will conduct the ...

Snyder County Conservation District annual seedling and plant sale event

MIDDLEBURG — The Snyder County Conservation District will be holding its annual seedling and plant sale. All proceeds from the seedling sale provide funds for our educational outreach programs. Seedlings offered this year include: Norway Spruce, Eastern White Pine, American Persimmon, White Oak, American Hazelnut, American Beech, Chinese Chestnut, Domestic Apple, Northern Pecan and Winterberry. Fruit Trees offered are Shizuka Apple, and July Prince - Peach. Concord grape vines and Berkley Blueberry bushes are also being offered. Also offered this year is a special blended Deer ...

Farmers Care Program seeking donations

During this time of year, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee works with local farmers and the community to collect monetary, food or other items for the Farmers Care Program. Farmers Care is a program that recognizes the commitment of farm families and our communities across Pennsylvania to raising healthy food for our communities. Our farm communities also volunteer to help those in need, including our ongoing partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Since 1998 Pennsylvania’s County Farm Bureaus have collected donations for the Ronald McDonald ...

USDA to complete cash rents data survey in the Northeastern Region

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the annual Cash Rents and Leases survey starting Feb. 5. The survey provides the basis for estimates of the current year’s cash rents paid for irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland, and permanent pasture. Over 241,000 survey recipients across the United States, including more than 15,000 in the Northeastern Region, have been selected to participate in the survey, which can be completed online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or phone. “Survey response from as many ...