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Agriculture

Rains came down and floods came up

By Leah Fronk Horticulture Educator Penn State Extension, Juniata County Many farmers and gardeners across the Northeast United States are experiencing flooding this summer. After a very dry spring, the rainfall in recent weeks has been welcomed, wished for, and now we wonder “is this too much rain?” In some parts of the Northeast, the answer is “yes - too much rain.” Some parts of our county and state have seen localized flooding. It is not as widespread in Pennsylvania as other states such as Vermont where thousands of agricultural acres have been lost to ...

Hands-on activities and exhibits planned for youngest Ag Progress Days visitors

UNIVERSITY PARK — 4-H is an opportunity to introduce kids and teens to the wide world of agriculture, and the 4-H Youth Building has a slate of activities planned for youth of all ages at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10. The building is located behind the Family Room on Main St., between West Eighth St. and West Ninth St. at the Ag Progress Days site. Displays and exhibitors at the 4-H Youth Building during all three days of the expo will include the following: Pennsylvania 4-H: Learn about the state’s 4-H program, and then build and launch your own ...

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 ...