|
General CAFO Permit – accepting public comments
The PA Department of Environmental Protection is accepting comments on the PAG-12 (General CAFO) Permit. Over the past 12 months, DEP has engaged with permit holders and stakeholders to discuss the General CAFO Permit revisions. The PAG-12 is reviewed and revised every 5 years. The most important aspect of the PAG-12 that General CAFO permit holders must remember and adhere to is the need to submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) to DEP. The public comment period opened Saturday, Oct. 1 and run through Monday, Oct. 31.
To submit comments, the preferred method of submitting comments is DEP's online eComment tool. Alternatively, written comments can be submitted by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov or by mail to the Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail, must include the commentator's name and address. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.
Click here to see the draft permit. Contact Jennifer at jrharry@pennag.com if you have questions or need assistance.
| |
|
Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence Request for Proposals
The Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence (CPLE), funded through the Pennsylvania Legislature and the PA Department of Agriculture, is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) on the topics of poultry, swine, lamb, sheep and goat production in the Commonwealth. The full RFP is available here.
$900,000 is available this round for projects related to the following areas as it relates to poultry, swine, lamb, sheep and goat production:
- Biosecurity
- Animal Agriculture Infrastructure
- Applied Research
- Food Security
The CPLE Board looks favorably upon projects where there are partnerships as well as funding co-sponsors. The Board is looking for projects with a valid prospective approach to research rooted in a solid basis of sound practices.
Submit proposals online no later than: 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14
Questions: Contact Libby Brownawell at 717-651-5920 or lbrownawell@pennag.com
Website: https://www.poultryandlivestockexcellence.org/
| |
It's one of the most dangerous areas on the farm, and one that is getting a lot of use at this time of year - grain bins. Already this year, five individuals have been killed in grain bin entrapments or falls in the U.S. | | | |
Despite Varied Weather, Apple Harvest Good in Mid-Atlantic | Apple growers are harvesting a good crop in key regions of the Mid-Atlantic, though the timing of rains has affected fruit size. In Adams County, Pennsylvania, the early apples were somewhat small thanks to a dry summer, but that story has changed as growers get deeper into the season. | | | |
Landowners Urge Lawmakers To Pass Real Community Solar Energy Bills | With solar energy policy on the agenda of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on September 20, dozens of landowners from across Pennsylvania sent letters in support of bills Senate Bill 472 (Scavello-R-Monroe) [which is in the Committee] and House Bill 1555 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne). [Note: The Committee meeting was canceled.] | | | |
Wolf Administration Awards $303,000 to 17 Nonprofits to Grow Sales, Exports of Pennsylvania Agricultural Products | Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced $303,000 in matching funds to 17 nonprofits to grow domestic sales and exports of Pennsylvania agricultural products. Grants will reimburse nonprofit associations representing members statewide, up to 50% of the cost of promotional and consumer education projects promoting beef, hardwoods, maple syrup, mushrooms, vegetables, wine and projects promoting regional tourism and growing the consumer base for PA products. | | | |
Be Included in the GROW TOGETHER Farm Listing | |
Did we forget to include your Berks County farm in our GROW TOGETHER farm listing? Let us know by submitting your farms information. | |
|
Small Business Advantage Grant
The Small Business Advantage Grant provides reimbursement grants ranging from 50% to 80% of eligible project costs to Pennsylvania small businesses to improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution or waste by: upgrading or replacing equipment or supplies; improving processes; or reducing runoff into affected waterways. Maximum grant award amounts will vary from up to $5,000 to up to $8,000, based on the environmental impact of the project and whether the project location is in an Environmental Justice Area in Pennsylvania.
| |
The Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of PA have recently announced the launch of the inaugural round of their statewide barn preservation grant program. If you have or know of barns in your regions that are character defining features of the landscape, and that may be able to take advantage of this grant program, check it out and share. The initial round will be limited to $2500 awards, with a focus on water infiltration issues (ex. Leaky roofs). While $2500 alone is not enough to cover most barn roof replacements (if it has reached that point of deterioration), however, $2500 (plus 50% match) could go along way in making significant repairs to water infiltration issues that could become even more costly if left unchecked. HBFF intends to grow the pot of award money as the years progress. | | | |
|
American Farmland Trust’s Women for the Land Learning Circles
Wednesday, Oct. 26
We are excited to launch a new series of Learning Circles focused on soil health. Our first learning circle will take place at Gay Rogers’ Hameau Farm in Belleville on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
AFT and our partners will provide substantive training on soil health and help women develop soil health plans for their farms. Additionally, we’ll provide financial assistance to help these women take meaningful steps to implement their plans and adopt conservation practices on their farms.
If you know women farmers interested in soil health in our priority counties (Adams, Bedford, Berks, Chester, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon or Lycoming), please send them the registration link here – we’d love to have them!
| |
Educators & Students: Please mark your calendar and plan to join us Nov. 10 to explore the wide variety of opportunities for you in agriculture! It’s not just “plows and cows. Agriculture includes robotics, mechanical engineering, turf management, veterinary medicine, financing, animal husbandry, horticulture and nurseries, business, marketing and so much more! It is an excellent occasion for students to establish summer internships, job shadowing opportunities or enlist as a volunteer. There is no cost to attend, and students may come in a group or individually. Pre-register online here before Monday, Oct. 31 to be registered in a drawing. Contact Emily at ewangolo@countyofberks.com or 610.378.1844 x 5 for more information | |
|
Tire Collection Day
Thursday, Nov. 10
| |
All types of tires, including large farm equipment tires, may be delivered to Allegheny Salvage & Towing Company by appointment on Thursday, Nov. 10. Tires must be whole, off the rim and free of debris and water. This event is sponsored by the Berks County Conservation District and the Berks County Department of Agriculture. Please contact the Berks County Conservation District after Oct. 1 for date confirmation and program details at 610-372-4657. | |
|
Taste of Berks
Monday, Nov. 14
| |
Are you looking to reach close to 600 potential customers and decision makers in just one night? Consider being a vendor at one of the biggest foodie and networking events in Berks County to showcase your food, drinks and wares. DON'T HESITATE the sign up deadline is this Friday, Oct. 21. | |
|
2022 Seed and Agronomic Products Council Annual Winter Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 9
The 2022 Seed and Agronomic Products Council Annual Winter Meeting will be on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Horizon Farm Credit building in Mt. Joy, PA. Topics will include Nutrient Management regulatory changes, Yield Data Monitoring, and PDA, ASTA, and regulatory updates. Use this form to register by October 24, 2022.
| |
|
Free Courses and Curriculum Available for High School Agriculture Teachers
To help high school agriculture teachers expand on their curriculum with dairy-focused lessons, the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow (DLT) program is designed specifically to prepare high school students to pursue careers in the dairy industry. Using a three-part model, the program offers online courses and classroom curriculum, on-farm experience opportunities, and annual scholarships for both educators and students. A total of more than 25,000 high school students have been impacted by the DLT program to date. Read the full press release here.
Teachers can register for the free program this school year at www.dairyleadersoftomorrow.com.
If you have questions about the program, contact Michelle Shearer at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org or by phone at 570-768-8316.
| |
Penn State Extension - Topics of Interest | |
This is a friendly reminder that you can subscribe to receive updates on topics of interest to you at the frequency you choose from Penn State Extension. | |
Archived Newsletter and Grow Together Blog | |
Did you know we archive all of the newsletters? | |
The Grow Together blog features seasonal topics! | |
A cooperative effort betweenthe GRCA and the Berks County Department of Agriculture through the support of the Berks County Commissioners. | | |
|
Questions?:
or 484-818-0845.
| | | | | |
