Growing renewable energy resources to farm with less fossil fuels

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 >

Center for Dairy Excellence Partners Meeting~ Review

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 >

New Funding for Organic Transition Assistant Program from PDA

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 >

Job Safety & Health Posters, Services?

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.

Octorara Looking to Build Aquaponics Greenhouse on Campus

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 >

Chester County Seeking Watershed Stewards

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 >

Chemsweep to Dispose of of Pesticides in 17 Pennsylvania Counties in 2016

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 >