07/16/2024
Braddock, PA – Today, Lt. Governor Austin A. Davis joined Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at Grow Pittsburgh's Braddock Farms to announce $500,000 in grants available for projects that will increase capacity to produce fresh food and create economic opportunity in urban Pennsylvania neighborhoods. PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants will multiply the impact of projects like Braddock Farms' community garden, an oasis of green feeding a neighborhood in the shadow of a steel mill.
07/01/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced the opening the 2024-2025 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program. The grant program supports the development and expansion of current or future meat and poultry processing operations across Pennsylvania, offering reimbursement funds to cover costs associated with opening or expanding operations, or obtaining grant of inspection from the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service.
06/20/2024
Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Senator Carolyn Comitta met at Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens in Chester County to discuss and see how Senate Bill 1193, the Plant and Pollinator Protection Act, will benefit food production, plant nurseries, and beekeepers, as well as Pennsylvania's economy.
06/13/2024
The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania will purchase development rights for 2,629 acres on 28 farms in 19 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development. The farms, approved for conservation easement purchases by the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board, represent an $9.8 million investment to ensure that Pennsylvania farmers have the resources they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs.
06/13/2024
Today on a sixth-generation Butler County family dairy farm, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding viewed the kind of advances in productivity, sustainability, and risk-protection that will multiply with investments through Governor Josh Shapiro's Agriculture Innovation and Conservation, and Dairy Margin Coverage programs. Both investments will keep Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry a national leader in coming decades.
06/05/2024
Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $10 million Agriculture Innovation Program has moved closer to becoming law with broad bipartisan support in House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. House Bill 2310 creates the program, which will support new solutions to complex agricultural and environmental challenges and keep Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry a national leader in the coming decades. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding applauded Representatives Eddie Day Pashinski and Dan Moul, leadership of the House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, along with prime sponsor Rep. Paul Takac, for bipartisan support for the bill.
05/30/2024
Merrymead Farm’s creamery is one of 41 of the sweetest stops on your Great American Getaway in 2024
05/24/2024
Governor Shapiro’s Administration is committed to fighting hunger and food insecurity across Pennsylvania.
05/16/2024
First Lady Lori Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding volunteered today, packing boxes alongside Evan Ehlers, Founder and Executive Director at Sharing Excess, a food rescue operation at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. Sharing Excess works to reduce food waste while getting fresh, healthy food to city neighborhoods.
05/16/2024
The Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council highlighted the importance of protecting native plants, insects, and animals during the third annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day at Big Elk Creek State Park in Chester County.
05/09/2024
The Shapiro Administration welcomed 1,300 area elementary school students from nine counties to the PA Farm Show Complex today and Wednesday for hands-on agriculture career exploration during PA Farm City Day. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding toured career exhibits with Department of Education's Bureau of Career and Technical Education Director Judd Pittman, Special Assistant Rob Steinmetz, and Special Consultant for Career Readiness Laura Fridirici joining students who were learning firsthand about careers ranging from dairy farming and beekeeping to sustainable forestry and drone-assisted crop management.
05/03/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that Pennsylvania’s Farm-to-School Grant program is offering schools and childhood centers to apply for up to $15,000 for eligible projects.
05/02/2024
Due to contamination with Campylobacter, consumers should immediately discard raw milk sold from Apple Valley Creamery, under the Pure Pastures Dairy label, with sell-by dates of April 3, 2024 through today.
04/26/2024
Governor Shapiro’s proposed $10 million Agriculture Innovation Fund will support novel solutions to complex climate challenges.
04/11/2024
The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania will purchase development rights for 2,250 acres on 28 farms in 15 counties, forever protecting them from residential or commercial development. The farms, approved for conservation easement purchases by the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board, represent an $8.07 million investment to ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have prime farmland to feed our families and economy in the future.
04/04/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Chair Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. visited Old English Acres, home of champion Limousin beef cattle in Enon Valley, Lawrence County, to see how the farm's business investments would be more secure with the $5 million veterinary lab system expansion Governor Josh Shapiro proposed in his 2024-25 budget.
04/03/2024
Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invited applications for $4.8 million in federally funded grants to purchase equipment needed to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain – between the farm field and the consumer's table. Funds are part of $26 million awarded to Pennsylvania through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, which aims to boost capacity to meet food supply needs in grocers, restaurants, and institutions like schools, hospitals, and universities.
03/29/2024
East Berlin, PA – Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Secretary, Russell Redding joined members of the General Assembly, associations and businesses at Cashman’s Hardware Store in Adams County to promote Pennsylvania’s updated fertilizer law and the Department of Agriculture’s consumer education campaign to help residents manage their lawn care in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way.
03/29/2024
Dillsburg, PA – In recognition of National Farmworkers Awareness Week, First Lady Lori Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Quality Greenhouses to meet with farmworkers and discuss their crucial role in Pennsylvania's agriculture industry.
03/29/2024
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced today that Greene County is now among 52 Pennsylvania counties quarantined due to confirmed populations of the invasive pest spotted lanternfly. Redding also encouraged Pennsylvanians to destroy lanternfly eggs in the coming weeks prior to the spring hatch.
03/22/2024
Daunting trends highlight critical need for investments in food production and rural communities proposed in Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget.<br><br>Harrisburg, PA – Earlier this week, POLITICO cited Pennsylvania’s position leading the nation in the percentage of its farmers who are under 35, recounting bipartisan efforts to attract young farmers as a possible “roadmap for the nation.” The report underscores challenges faced by the agriculture industry nationwide, illustrating the need for the critical investments in food production and rural communities Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed in his 2024-25 budget.
03/21/2024
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding celebrated Ag Literacy Week today, reading to second-graders at Avon Grove Charter School in Landenberg, Chester County and touring the school farm, which was funded by PA Farm Bill Farm to School Grants.
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>