News

Winter Market set for Nov. 7-8 in State College

Local News November 3, 2026

STATE COLLEGE — Discovery Space and The Rivet will host their seventh annual Winter Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, at 1224 N. Atherton St., State College. The free event will feature nearly 90 artists, makers and small businesses selling handmade jewelry, ceramics, artwork, home décor, specialty foods and other gifts. Visitors can also create personalized gifts at the Customization Station, with projects priced at $20 or less. Additional activities include live tintype photography, raffles, a silent auction and food vendors. Admission to Discovery ...

Strawberry farmer hopes steam holds the key to healthy soil and a better crop

Agriculture November 3, 2026

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Long-time strawberry farmer Rod Koda has rows of plants on his California farm that are still producing fruit well after the harvest would typically end. The fields brimming with green near the Pacific Coast have produced nearly twice the amount of organic ...

Pennsylvania convenes new Dairy Development Committee

Agriculture November 3, 2026

HARRISBURG — In October, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding convened the first meeting of the new Pennsylvania Dairy Development Committee. The creation of the work group comes on the heels of the single largest investment in agriculture in Pennsylvania history — $1.2 billion to establish Chobani’s first dairy operation in the Commonwealth, creating 900 jobs and increasing future demand for Pennsylvania milk by 30 percent. The work group will serve in an advisory role, bringing expertise from a broad spectrum of sectors including the dairy supply chain, government, finance, ...

Trump Administration announces $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program

Agriculture November 3, 2026

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump, alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, has announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to American farmers this harvest season to provide relief during temporary market disruptions and increased input costs. “President Trump is the most pro-farmer president of my lifetime and he is continuing to put Farmers First every day,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Today, I am proud to announce alongside President Trump more targeted relief is coming to our ...

USDA announces $180 million Seed Sovereignty Initiative

Agriculture November 3, 2026

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $180 million investment to launch the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Seed Sovereignty Initiative in October. The investment is a major effort to both strengthen U.S. agricultural security by protecting the plant genetic resources that underpin American agriculture and enable breakthroughs in U.S. agricultural innovation. This initiative will provide much-needed investments in USDA’s Agricultural Research Service National Plant Germplasm System, which houses more than 600,000 accessions representing over ...

Juniata County Dairy Promotion pointers

Agriculture November 3, 2026

My name is Noah Lewis, and I am your Juniata County Dairy Ambassador. On Jan. 14, 2026, the Federal Whole Milk for Healthy Kids act of 2025 was signed into law. The USDA has updated its nutrition standards to formally allow whole and 2% milk varieties back into the National School Lunch ...