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
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.
03/28/2024
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.
03/28/2024
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.
03/22/2024
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.<br>
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> <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.