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Agriculture

UNIVERSITY PARK — Crop management, wildlife and conservation education, as well as the signature hay show, will be offered in and around the J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10. Specialists from Penn State and other organizations will be on hand to answer questions about crop production, weed identification, water quality and biofuels. Visitors can ask questions about crop and nutrient management, no-till practices, organic farming and sustainable agriculture, and even bring weeds for experts to identify. New ...

USDA provides support for producers, school meal providers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $2.7 billion to support American farmers, students who participate in school meal programs, and emergency food operations. With funding made available through USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation, the Department will provide nearly $1.3 billion for states to purchase foods to be distributed to schools for their meal programs and nearly $1 billion for states to order commodities from USDA vendors for emergency food providers, like food banks and community kitchens, as they face high demand and supply chain ...

Department of Ag, NASA advance exploration, science

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed a memorandum of understanding recently, strengthening the collaboration between the two agencies on various projects and platforms, including efforts to improve agricultural and Earth science research, technology, and agricultural management, and the application of science data and models to agricultural decision making. The agreement affirms the two agencies’ interest in continuing their longstanding partnership on mutually beneficial collaborative ...

Ag Progress Days: Researchers, extension educators offer exhibits and presentations in the College of Ag Sciences exhibits building

UNIVERSITY PARK — Climate-smart agriculture, the importance of biodiversity and the latest news about the spotted lanternfly will be among the displays and presentations at the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building and Theater during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10. College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members and Penn State Extension educators will address these and other topics in a series of exhibits: Climate-smart agriculture and biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the incredible variety of life on Earth, from the tiniest microorganisms to the vast ...

Ag Progress Day: Gardening expertise blooms

UNIVERSITY PARK — Need expert gardening advice? Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences experts will offer consultations in the Yard and Garden Area during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10. Experts include Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, extension educators, and specialists in horticulture, entomology and plant pathology. At the “Ask a Master Gardener” booth, gardening enthusiasts can receive advice from Master Gardeners from across the state, get information about the spotted lanternfly, and learn about the Pennsylvania Pollinator-Friendly Habitat Certification program, ...

Farm fields store carbon, but just how much?

The Associated Press DYSART, Iowa — When Al Schafbuch cut back on plowing his Iowa fields decades ago and later began growing cover crops, he was out to save money on fertilizer and reduce erosion. He got those benefits and saw his soil change for the better, too: dark, chunky, richly organic matter that he said feels like “chocolate cake.” There’s one more big payoff that benefits everyone: tilling the soil less, and growing more cover crops, can help farmers store more planet-warming carbon in fields. More plants take in more carbon dioxide, and soil microbes breathe out ...