April 21, 2021

A Day in the Life of a Farmer

Tending cattle and a farm store at LaFaver Family Farm... As the trees start to bud, flowers start to bloom and grass starts to get greener, it means warm weather is on the horizon and more work is coming for us as farmers. We are anxious to get cleaned up from the winter months around here, which means ... Read more www.readingeagle.com

Grow Together Campaign Continues to Support Berks County Farmers

Make sure your ag business is on the list!

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Meet Plant-Ag, the $9 billion startup that will let you... "You know more about your Uber driver than the food you're eating," says Karim Giscombe, the founder and CEO of a new company, Plant-Ag, about to launch in the coming weeks to close this peculiar knowledge gap. Read more www.fastcompany.com

Senate Passes Ward Bill to Help Farmers with Barn... HARRISBURG - The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Judy Ward (R-30) that sets commonsense safety standards for barns and other agricultural buildings that are repurposed for weddings and other social events. Read more www.pasenategop.com

News from PA Dept. of Agriculture Harrisburg, PA - Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced $300,000 in state matching funds awarded to 16 projects aimed at increasing consumer awareness of Pennsylvania agriculture products and market opportunities for agriculture... Read more www.media.pa.gov

News from PA Dept. of Agriculture Harrisburg, PA - Today, Pennsylvania protected 2,370 acres on 26 farms in 16 counties through the state's nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program. Since 1988, the program has purchased permanent conservation easements on 5,869 Pennsylvania... Read more www.media.pa.gov

Pennsylvania companies are joining the push to increase... Currently a more than $55 billion industry in the U.S., the pandemic has made organics even more popular as consumers concentrate on health and well-being. User ID / Email / Password is case sensitive To inquire about group subscriptions or an... Read more www.lvb.com

USDA Federal Funding Opportunity - Value Added Producer Grants

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income. The deadline to apply is April 29, 2021

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Emerging Technology Applications Center (ETAC)

The Emerging Technology Applications Center (ETAC) of Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA. specializes in operational energy efficiency. ETAC has completed hundreds of energy assessments across the state of Pennsylvania and maintains certification as a registered Conservation Service Provider with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.    ETAC currently has a grant fund as listed below that allows:  A Rural Energy for America grant funded by the US Department of Agriculture allows them to provide no cost technical assistance to eligible Pennsylvania ag producers and rural small businesses to identify and assess renewable energy alternatives.  US Environmental Protection Agency Source Reduction Assistance, this grant allows us to provide eligible food, beverage and metal manufacturers with pollution prevention and energy efficiency technical assistance at no cost.

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COVID Vaccines Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect  you and those around you from serious illnesses. On April 15, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers that the pause in administering doses... Read more www.health.pa.gov

Soil Records Help Farmers Improve Soil recordkeeping initiatives are helping farmers increase understanding of their most important asset. The Soil Health Benchmark Study, led by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, and the Million Acre Challenge from Future Harvest CASA are yielding... Read more www.lancasterfarming.com

Agriculture Viability Series: Becoming Bankable Learn from professionals what banks look for when providing loans and other services! Read more extension.psu.edu

Mental Health First Aid Mental Health awareness is such an important factor in knowing how to help those in crisis find the help and care they need. Read more extension.psu.edu

A cooperative effort between the GRCA and the Berks County Department of Agriculture through the support of the Berks County Commissioners.

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Questions?: Contact Tami Hildebrand at thildebrand@countyofberks.com  or 484-818-0845.