02/24/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from February 15 - 21, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits.
02/24/2021
Secretary Russell Redding today notified farmland owners in 25 Pennsylvania counties that they are eligible to receive disaster relief assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to losses caused by drought that occurred during the 2020 crop year.
02/18/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from February 8 - 14, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits.
02/18/2021
Today, Pennsylvania safeguarded 2,638 acres on 30 farms in 16 counties through the state’s nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program. Since 1988, the program has purchased permanent conservation easements on 5,843 Pennsylvania farms, covering 594,457 acres, in 59 counties, ensuring they will remain farms in the future.
02/17/2021
Second Lady Gisele Fetterman joined Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today to stress the urgent need for legislative action to protect the dogs of Pennsylvania.
02/12/2021
Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding called for proposals from nonprofit marketing and promotion organizations for projects aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products. The department will award $253,000 in matching funds to reimburse up to half of project costs.
02/12/2021
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting concept proposals for projects that will increase visibility and competitiveness of the state’s horticultural specialty crops including fruit, vegetable, nursery, flower, and nut products. Concept proposals, due March 5, 2021, are for the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant program, which is administered by the state.
02/11/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today commended Governor Tom Wolf for once again proposing to fund the Pennsylvania Farm Bill to continue strengthening the resiliency of the industry so many rely on for life’s essential needs. The 2021-22 proposal would be the third installment of funding for the PA Farm Bill, first signed into law in July 2019, and result in a total of nearly $50 million invested in the success of agriculture in the commonwealth.
02/11/2021
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced that the 48th Annual Pennsylvania Performance Tested Bull Sale scheduled for Wednesday, March 24 through Friday, March 26, 2021 will be held virtually through online sale platform, Cowbuyer.com, in effort to minimize risks of spreading COVID-19.
02/09/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from February 1 – 7, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits.
02/05/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today reminded farmers to apply by March 1 for $13 million in tax credits for measures to improve soil and water quality. Tax credits are available through Pennsylvania’s nationally recognized Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP), which was expanded under the PA Farm Bill.
02/03/2021
Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding called for proposals from nonprofit marketing and promotion organizations for projects aimed at increasing sales, exports or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania agricultural products. The department will award $300,000 in matching funds to reimburse up to half of costs for projects with priority given to those that increase food security in Pennsylvania or boost COVID-19 recovery.
02/03/2021
he Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from January 25 – 31, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits.
01/29/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced grants totaling $1.287 million to eight organizations for research on issues critical to sustaining and growing Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. Grant recipients include Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, American Mushroom Institute, Baarda Farms, Coexist Build, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture and Team Ag, Inc.
01/27/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that the PA Preferred® Organic Program, funded through Governor Wolf’s PA Farm Bill, is partnering with Rodale Institute and Penn State Extension to offer Pennsylvania organic farmers and those interested in transitioning to organic a series of virtual field day sessions to learn about the latest tools, techniques, and research in organic no-till crop production.
01/26/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from January 18 – 24, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits.
01/20/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from January 11, 2021 through January 17, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services.
01/19/2021
On Saturday, January 16, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding wrapped up the 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show — a virtual and visual bounty of the people, places and issues shaping the industry’s future, creating jobs, building a stronger food system and feeding our nation and our world. Secretary Redding shared the week’s highlights and ways to continue to engage in Pennsylvania agriculture throughout the year.
01/16/2021
Individual and team competitors in grades 7-12 from FFA Chapters Conrad Weiser in Berks County, Tyrone Area in Blair County and Greenwood in Perry County won first place in their respective age groups in the Agriscience Fair Competition during the 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Their first-place finishes qualified them for the national FFA competition.
01/13/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from January 4, 2021 through January 10, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services.
01/13/2021
Today, during the 2021 Virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Russell Redding invited proposals for $460,000 in funding through the state’s Specialty Crop Block Grants created under the PA Farm Bill in 2019 and renewed for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year. Eligible projects will enhance the competitive position and stimulate market growth for crops designated as high priority because of their growth potential and importance for environmental sustainability. Conservation cover crops were added to the list of eligible crops for the program’s second year.
01/12/2021
Today, during the virtual 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the availability of $500,000 through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill’s Ag and Youth Grant Program to fund projects such as ag education and workforce development programs, seminars and field trips, agricultural safety training, capital projects, or equipment purchases that will help build a strong future workforce for Pennsylvania’s leading industry.<br>
01/07/2021
Days away from the opening of the first-ever virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding highlighted the various ways to experience the 105th show.<br>
01/06/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that the Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center, funded through Governor Wolf’s PA Farm Bill, will offer ag businesses and aspiring ag entrepreneurs a series of free business planning and marketing workshops through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers during the virtual 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
01/05/2021
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from December 28, 2020 through January 3, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services, and reflect the temporary order prohibiting dine-in service from December 12, 2020 until 8:00 AM January 4, 2021.
12/30/2020
The Department of Agriculture announced today a new opportunity for Pennsylvanians to bring the Pennsylvania Farm Show into their homes, by inviting them to craft their own butter sculpture creations and enter them into the Butter Up! Contest for a chance to win one of a variety of gift cards from members of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA).
12/29/2020
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from December 21 through December 27, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services, and reflect the temporary order prohibiting dine-in service from December 12, 2020 until January 4, 2021.
12/23/2020
The Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and Education today announced opportunities for agriculture and STEM learning for all ages to be featured in the 2021 Farm Show. Several opportunities will help K-12 students and teachers meet Pennsylvania academic requirements for environment and ecology, or family and consumer sciences.
12/22/2020
The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from December 14 through December 20, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services, and reflect the temporary order prohibiting dine-in service from December 12, 2020 until January 4, 2021.
12/18/2020
The Department of Agriculture today shared the schedule for the virtual 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Traditionally held in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, the department announced a move to a virtual show as Pennsylvania continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.