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Family farms in several counties earn historic designations

Agriculture

PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently honored twelve Centennial Farms for having been in the same family for 100 years. He also named a Centre County farm a Bicentennial farm, honoring the Stine family, who have passed down their farm within the family since 1813. “Today, we celebrate 13 farm families who have made tremendous contributions to feeding Pennsylvanians and preserving our agricultural heritage,” Redding said. “These farms and families have varied histories, yet all share a deep commitment to future generations, as well as ...

Bumblebees can learn to associate new smells with their queen

Agriculture

UNIVERSITY PARK — Bumblebees are able to learn to associate new odors with their colony’s queen, instead of being preprogrammed to recognize the queen’s pheromones from birth, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. For the study, recently published in the journal Communications Biology, the researchers treated buff-tailed bumblebee queens daily with one of two different floral scents as they built their colonies. Later, the researchers gave these worker bees — who grew up exposed to one of these scents as they tended to the queen — a choice between the ...

USDA announces $7.5 million in grant funding to increase access to real food

Agriculture

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $7.5 million in grant funding available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program. The Program will fund projects to support cold chain equipment investments that help food assistance entities temporarily store, effectively package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods. “The Trump Administration continues to prioritize providing Real Food for Americans. Over the past year and a half, we have worked hard to incentivize healthier options for Americans and today’s ...

NASS completes data collection for the Agricultural Yield Survey

Agriculture

WASHINGTON — The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has completed data collection for the Agricultural Yield Survey, which supports the August Crop Production report. The August Crop Production report provides timely information used by producers to make marketing, production, and risk management decisions throughout the growing season. It also supports grain handlers, processors, exporters, input suppliers, lenders, crop insurers, commodity organizations, researchers, and policymakers. “Producer participation in the Agricultural Yield Survey makes a ...

AgSci Launchpad broadens perspectives and pathways in ag sciences

Agriculture

AgSci Launchpad broadens perspectives and pathways in ag sciences UNIVERSITY PARK — A new program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is enriching the summer research experience of undergraduate students through shared learning experiences aimed at preparing them for ...