03/18/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has invited proposals for $460,000 in 2024 Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grants to stimulate market growth or boost the competitive position for high-priority crops. Hardwoods, honey, brewing grains, hemp, and flax are deemed top priorities for their potential to boost fast-growing ag sectors, feed Pennsylvania’s economy, and increase environmental sustainability.
03/07/2024
Increased funding for innovative food security program provides solution.<br><br>Peach Glen, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Feeding Pennsylvania CEO Julie Bancroft visited Knouse Foods in Adams County today to see how a $1 million state investment is turning surplus Pennsylvania apples into apple sauce and apple juice to feed hungry families across the state. The Shapiro Administration’s investment of $1 million of Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) funds, and $2 million of federal funds offered apple growers a tangible solution to meet the challenge of keeping a bumper crop of apples from going to waste.
02/29/2024
Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture released findings from its 2023 study, Economic Impact of the Pennsylvania Grape & Wine Industry. The study, funded by the department's Wine Marketing and Research Program, found that the industry supports 10,756 jobs, paying wages of $518.2 million, and directly contributing $1.77 billion to the state economy annually. Pennsylvania ranks 4th in wine production in the nation, up from 5th in 2018. Grape production in PA has grown by about 970 tons per year in that period.
02/23/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding kicked off Pennsylvania's maple tapping-season at Dewy Meadows Farm in Warren Center, Bradford County, celebrating Pennsylvania's maple syrup industry alongside the Pennsylvania Maple Producers Council and Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council.
02/22/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced today that the PA Agricultural Business Development Center is taking applications for $500,000 in PA Farm Bill Farm Vitality Planning Grants, funded in the 2023-24 budget. The grants fund strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or transition of ownership.
02/15/2024
The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania preserved 1,519 acres on 22 farms in 11 counties, forever protecting them from residential or commercial development. The development rights approved for purchase today by the State Land Preservation Board represent a more than $5.8 million investment in ensuring that Pennsylvania farmers will have prime farmland to feed our families and economy in the future.
02/02/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission approved the allocation of $3 million to be granted to four organizations under the framework of the Conservation Excellence Grant Program.
02/01/2024
Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger and Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited high-tech food manufacturer Reykjavik Creamery in Newville to highlight the important role of agriculture in the new Pennsylvania Economic Development Strategy — the first plan of its kind to guide the Commonwealth in almost 20 years. <br> <br>
01/30/2024
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns consumers to immediately discard all Conoco View Dairy raw milk sold in Cumberland, Juniata, Perry, Snyder, and York Counties, or delivered direct to homes or drop-off points in Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, and Perry Counties. The Department ran tests after 11 reports of campylobacteriosis illnesses in December and January and confirmed Campylobacter contamination in the dairy's products.
01/26/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced $2.232 million in funding for research proposals on issues critical to sustaining and growing Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry.
01/22/2024
Beginning today, Pennsylvania’s updated Dog Law takes effect to increase public safety in communities, add consumer protections for those who buy or adopt dogs, strengthen requirements for all types of kennels, and increase penalties for those who violate the law and put people and dogs at risk.
01/14/2024
The 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show wrapped up eight days of the 2024 Pennsylvania State Fair™ yesterday, connecting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Pennsylvanians who feed, clothe, and fuel our families and communities daily, and are the foundation of our economy.
01/11/2024
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the recipients of $300,000 in Veterans in Agriculture Grants to connect military veterans to opportunities in farming. Adjutant General of Pennsylvania Major General Mark Schindler joined Redding to make the announcement during Military Appreciation Day at the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show.
01/08/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced $498,161 in PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants awarded to 47 organizations in 24 counties, funding projects that prepare youth to succeed in Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. Students and educators from Fox Chase Farm, the School District of Philadelphia’s 112-acre demonstration farm, and Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley joined Secretary Redding to make the announcement in the 2024 PA Farm Show’s So You Want to Be a Farmer area, where anyone can learn how to raise food or flowers for fun, for profit, or for a new career.
01/06/2024
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and other Shapiro Administration cabinet officials were joined by U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Senator Judy Schwank, other state and local officials and Pennsylvania agriculture industry leaders to officially open the 2024 PA Farm Show. The 2024 Farm Show theme, Connecting Our Communities, celebrates the best of Pennsylvania agriculture — the industry that supports 593,000 jobs and contributes $132.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy every year.
12/24/2023
Department responds to case in Northumberland County to mitigate risk to poultry industry. No Public Health Risk for Pennsylvanians
12/22/2023
The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania preserved 2,553 acres on 30 farms in 21 counties, forever protecting them from residential or commercial development. This investment of more than $8.7 million brings the total during 2023 to nearly $46.3 million invested to purchase land development rights for 13,663 acres on 166 farms, helping ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have prime farmland to feed our families and economy in the future.
12/20/2023
Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg joined Santa Claus and his team of reindeer at HersheyPark today, to announce that the reindeer received a clean bill of health and is cleared for special deliveries across Pennsylvania on December 24th.<br> <br>
12/18/2023
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reminded Pennsylvania dog owners to purchase a 2024 license from their county treasurer by January 1, 2024. Licenses are not just a legal responsibility of owning a dog, they protect all Pennsylvania dogs and are the best way to bring your pet home quickly if it’s lost.
12/12/2023
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today called for proposals for $450,000 in research grants through the Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence created under the PA Farm Bill. The center, funded at $1 million for 2023-24, is among the critical investments in a robust future for Pennsylvania agriculture in the first budget of Governor Josh Shapiro's Administration.
12/08/2023
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks while connecting with the producers at the 108th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception. The Friday, January 5th reception will be the official kickoff for the 2024 Farm Show, the Pennsylvania State Fair™.
12/06/2023
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced the singers who will perform the "Star-Spangled Banner" daily and at special events during the 2024 Farm Show. Thirteen-year-old Thea Sten, of Schuylkill Haven in Schuylkill County, received the most social media votes in the 2024 PA Farm Show National Anthem contest, 'Oh, Say Can You Sing?'. She will sing live at the 108th Farm Show Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday January 6, 2024.
12/01/2023
Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs deputy adjutant general-Army helped kick off the 2023 Trees for Troops donation weekend at Strathmeyer Christmas Trees in York, encouraging Pennsylvanians to donate Christmas trees to active-duty military and their families.
11/22/2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns that consumers should discard “Hilltop Meadow Farm” brand ’60 Day Aged Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese’ with sell by dates of 9/21/2023 or earlier. Testing of this cheese confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
11/21/2023
The Shapiro Administration is committed to increasing opportunities for small businesses to thrive.
11/14/2023
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced PA Farm Bill Farm-to-School Grants of $605,398 to 56 schools, school districts, and childhood education centers in 28 counties. Grants of up to $15,000 will support projects aimed at improving access to healthy, local food and increasing hands-on learning for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
11/14/2023
Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro joined Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding for a tour of Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms' farm in West Grove, among the businesses making Pennsylvania number one nationally in organic mushroom production. Shapiro Administration investments are feeding continued growth in the nation-leading industry through targeted investments to meet challenges unique to mushroom, and specifically organic mushroom production.
11/08/2023
Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs Brigadier General Maureen Weigl toured Skyline Pastures in Mohrsville, Berks County, a veteran-owned farm that received $5,000 in 2022 to fund erosion control and a livestock-watering system through Pennsylvania Veterans In Agriculture Grants.
11/03/2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for $1 million in grants to increase the competitiveness of the state’s horticultural specialty crops including fruit, nut, vegetable, nursery, honey, and floral products. Projects will be funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant program, which is administered by the state.
11/02/2023
Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 157 yesterday, officially creating a PA Preferred Organic™ brand for PA-grown organic agricultural products. Products bearing the new PA Preferred Organic label will meet both U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for organic production, and the PA Preferred® program’s rigorous standards for goods grown in Pennsylvania.