February 9, 2016
Looking to start your own value-added food business? Confused by rules and regulations? A recent workshop held at the Country Barn in Millersville on January 26th, answered some challenging questions for new food enterprises. Sponsored by PASA and led my Extension Educator, Winifred McGee, the “Food Enterprise & Safety Panel Discussion” session featured a four… Read More >
By now you may have heard that the 2016 state budget for Penn State Extension and Penn State Ag Research was zeroed out by Governor Wolf despite strong support from all levels of state government. If the zero funding stands, Penn State Extension, 4-H, the Master Gardener program and our research stations are at risk… Read More >
January 12, 2016
By Grant Gerlock, Harvest Public Media By some estimates, producing our food consumes about a fifth of the nation’s energy supply. It takes a lot of diesel to move tractors and semis around the farm, and electricity to pump water and dry grain. But some farmers are trying to cut back on the coal and… Read More >
December 28, 2015
Katie Poppiti, CCEDC Agriculture Program Coordinator, recently attended the Joint Annual Meeting of the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania. The program began with remarks from Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding, followed by the center’s program report, delivered by Executive Director, John Frey. John Frey also facilitated… Read More >
Last month, AgConnect shared the news of USDA efforts to assist producers in the transition to organic certification. Good news for Pennsylvania producers; there will be funding for farms transitioning to organic production from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture available in 2016. This program is the newest initiative stemming from the Path to Organic Program…. Read More >
December 14, 2015
Employers must often keep up with a variety of required government posters at their farms or other places of business which can be daunting at times. Learn how growers can keep up with the all the various posters here.
November 30, 2015
While Octorara Area High School has one of the most comprehensive high school agriculture education programs in the region, it strives to continue to build upon that success. The district is now considering partnering with a private-based Delaware firm called Enivsta Farms. The proposal, which includes a 45,000 square foot greenhouse, would focus on an… Read More >
November 24, 2015
The Penn State Chester County Master Watershed Stewards are accepting applications for the class of 2016. Volunteers are needed to help with public educational events, awareness campaigns, stream cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Applications will be accepted until February 1, 2016. If selected, candidates will be required to complete several training session classes and complete… Read More >
Agricultural businesses and pesticide applicators in 17 counties can dispose of unwanted pesticides safely in 2016 through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Chemsweep Program. In 2016, the program will be offered in the following counties: Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Chester, Clarion, Delaware, Forest, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Venango, and Wyoming. For collection… Read More >
“The more I got to know organic growers and learn how well aligned their practices are with NRCS’ conservation mission, the more enthusiastic I became about helping other farmers and ranchers transition. I’m excited to share this and to find ways to connect more organic producers with USDA resources,” said Joe Heller, NRCS Resource Conservationist…. Read More >