01/19/2022
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today invited proposals for up to $2 million in funding for projects to increase sales, quality and production of Pennsylvania wine, beer and cider. The Department of Agriculture's Wine Marketing and Research Board and Malt and Brewed Beverage Board will review and recommend projects for funding by the PA Liquor Control Board.
01/14/2022
Pennsylvania's rich agricultural heritage and commitment to conservation took the spotlight today at 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show as Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recognized nine Pennsylvania families for their contributions to the commonwealth's agriculture industry.
01/08/2022
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined by youth agriculture leaders to open the 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show today, showcasing how hands-on learning opportunities are shaping the next generation of agriculturalists.
01/04/2022
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for projects to increase the visibility and competitiveness of the state's horticultural specialty crops including fruit, vegetable, nursery, flower, and nut products. Proposals, due January 28, 2022, are for the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant program, which is administered by the state.
12/30/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Aging Secretary Robert Torres today highlighted the Wolf Administration’s successful rebrand of the PA Senior Food Box Program in 2021, formally known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Since taking steps to improve access to and awareness of the program, more than 7,100 new seniors have enrolled.
12/21/2021
The PA Department of Agriculture added Callery pear, or Pyrus calleryana, commonly called Bradford Pear to a list of noxious weeds — plants that cannot be legally sold or cultivated in the state. The popular, non-native, flowering fruit tree naturalizes, spreading from planted landscapes, crowding out other plants and disrupting native ecosystems. The ban on sale and cultivation will take effect February 9, 2022 with enforcement phased in over two years.
12/20/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today reminded farmers to apply by January 31, 2022 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.
12/17/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced the singers who garnered the most social media votes to win the 2022 PA Farm Show National Anthem contest, 'Oh, Say Can You Sing?'. Kallie Josephine Smith of Gordon, Schuylkill County was the overall winner of the contest. Singers from Armstrong, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lancaster, Lebanon and Mifflin counties were among other top vote-getters.
12/16/2021
Today, Pennsylvania protected 2,569 acres on 30 farms in 18 counties from future development, investing more than $7.2 million in state, county and township dollars. In 2021, Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program, which leads the nation, approved 166 conservation easements covering 14,397 acres that will permanently remain productive farms.
12/14/2021
Today at the Cumberland County Court House, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Treasurer Kelly Neiderer announced availability of 2022 dog licenses, reminding Pennsylvania dog owners that a dog license makes the perfect stocking stuffer for canine companions.
12/03/2021
Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs deputy adjutant general-Army, today helped kick off the 2021 Trees for Troops weekend at Strathmeyer Christmas Trees in York, encouraging Pennsylvanians to donate Christmas trees to active-duty military and their families.
12/03/2021
Today at Saubel's Market in Shrewsbury, York County, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to announce USDA's investment of $1 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on Pennsylvania's rural communities.
11/22/2021
For a second year, the Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania Farm Show invite Pennsylvanians to Butter Up! and try their hands at crafting a do-it-yourself butter sculpture. The contest, conducted on social media, will be open for submissions from Friday, December 3 through Friday, December 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM.
11/19/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today encouraged Pennsylvanians to fulfill their Thanksgiving grocery list by shopping locally this holiday season. Buying local, Pennsylvania products supports Pennsylvania’s nearly 53,000 family farms and supports jobs and the economy right where you live.
11/19/2021
From Lancaster to State College, and Williamsburg to Pittsburgh, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding traveled Pennsylvania this week highlighting the commonwealth’s seven state-certified agriculture apprenticeship programs and two pre-apprenticeships in honor of National Apprenticeship Week. Agriculture apprentices provide a pathway to fulfilling in-demand food and agriculture jobs, human capital that is critical to maintaining a safe, reliable food supply.
11/15/2021
This week, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will travel Pennsylvania, visiting agriculture apprenticeship programs in Lancaster, State College, Williamsburg and Pittsburgh in honor of National Apprenticeship Week. Part of the Wolf Administration’s $30 million investment in relevant Ag and other workforce training, seven state-certified agriculture apprenticeship programs and two pre-apprenticeships, offer the next generation of workers hands-on, paid experience in high-demand food and agriculture jobs.
11/12/2021
The PA Department of Agriculture added Japanese Barberry, or Berberis thunbergii, to a list of noxious weeds — plants that cannot be legally sold or cultivated in the state. The popular, non-native, ornamental shrub forms dense, prickly thickets that crowd out plants and disrupt native ecosystems. It is also thought to harbor black-legged ticks that spread lyme disease. The ban on sale and cultivation took effect October 8, 2021.
11/10/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs Brigadier General (PA) Maureen Weigl visited Sinking Creek Meats today, a veteran-owned beef operation and PA Preferred® Homegrown By Heroes member in Centre County. The visit was Redding's fourth stop on his statewide Food Fuels PA tour.
11/05/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Department of Conservation and Natural Resource Assistant State Forester Matthew Keefer and Pennsylvania hardwoods industry leaders toured Conestoga Wood Specialties in East Earl, for a behind the scenes look at one of Pennsylvania’s premier hardwood products companies. Since 2015, Governor Tom Wolf has invested more than $1 million in grants, loans and tax credits to help Pennsylvania hardwood businesses expand, upgrade equipment, train their workers and increase sustainable environmental practices.
11/02/2021
o support Pennsylvania's dairy farmers and ensure school-aged children have access to nutrient-rich milk, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Education Secretary Noe Ortega announced waivers to allow flexibility in the types of milk provided in student meals and dairy producers flexibility in the products and packaging they supply to reduce food waste.
11/01/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to show off their skills and test their mettle by entering competitive agricultural events at the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Entry deadlines for hundreds of youth and open events are approaching for the 2022 show, to be held January 8 through 15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
10/29/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined agriculture educators and students today to celebrate Pennsylvania's rich, agricultural heritage and promising future at the 150-year old Hess Farm in State College. With more than 13 million Pennsylvanians and countless others around the world relying on Pennsylvania agriculture for food, fuel and fiber and more than 590,000 jobs tied to the industry, Governor Tom Wolf is set to invest more than $106 million this year in programs that secure a strong future for the industry.
10/28/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today reminded Pennsylvanians of the importance of vigilance against the Spotted Lanternfly as the bugs begin laying eggs on flat surfaces to overwinter and hatch in the spring.
10/27/2021
With the 2021 hunting season underway in Pennsylvania, the Department of Agriculture released recommended best management practices to help protect hunters and their families against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
10/26/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced the approval of nearly $500,000 in Farm to School Grants to fund 47 projects that will improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agricultural experiential learning for children pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
10/25/2021
Sharon Myers, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, announced today that ahead of peak event season the facility is seeking to hire up to 150 new employees to support the extensive list of shows taking place in the facility over the coming months.
10/25/2021
Sharon Myers, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, announced today that ahead of peak event season the facility is seeking to hire up to 150 new employees to support the extensive list of shows taking place in the facility over the coming months.
10/21/2021
The PA Department of Agriculture is now taking applications for permits to grow or process hemp in the 2022 season. Grower applications for commercial use or research are due by April 1, 2022. The department accepts processor permit applications year-round.
10/21/2021
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that through support from the MidAtlantic Farm Credit, the budget for the Pennsylvania Farm Bill’s Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program is increasing from $500,000 to $520,000 and the deadline has been extended to November 5, 2021.