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Show Us Your Berks Contest
Do you have nostalgic pieces of Berks County? We want to see your photos! Soda bottles, milk bottles, tins, anything you have that has a historical connection to our fair County — we're gathering history for America's birthday, as well as the 275th anniversary of Berks County!
Show us your Berks and get tickets to the Reading Phillies game at All About Ag night on June 16, 2026!
The best of the photos will win 2 box seat tickets, with access to the buffet!
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All About Ag Baseball Night
Join the Berks County Department of Agriculture to celebrate agriculture and the bounty of Berks County at All About Ag Night at the Reading Fightin Phils on June 16th. In addition to a Bountiful Berks hat giveaway for adults, there will be live farm animals, a tractor, and exhibits from ag agency partners, including the Berks County Farm Bureau. The PA Friends of Agriculture’s Ag Immersion Lab will also be in attendance with hands on games and activities. Come celebrate our food and fiber industry and its contribution to our County.
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Community Forum - Imagine Berks Comprehensive Plan
Capitalizing on the momentum of the Imagine Berks Strategic Economic Development Action and the Growing Berks and the Greenway, Park and Recreation plan, the County has launched a new County Comprehensive plan initiative in March of 2025.
This new comprehensive plan will serve as the guiding document for land use development decisions across the county. It provides information that will guide responsible growth and development while preserving our green spaces, waterways, and agriculture. It is designed to encourage local investment and foster economic diversity.
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The Berks County Planning Commission’s May E-Flash
This E-Flash focuses on: Municipal Radio Upgrades Informational Meeting, Upcoming training opportunities, Planning Legislative News, Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Updates and BCPC Out and About.
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Dates to Remember:
ACREAGE REPORTING MAPS AVAILABLE - APPOINTMENTS OPEN
• May 29, 2026 - NRCS ACEP sign-up deadline
• June 15, 2026 - Spring-Seeded Small Grains Deadline
• July 15, 2026 - All other crops, CRP/CREP, Perennial Forage, Hemp Deadline
• August 12, 2026 - SDRP Stage 2 Deadline
ACREAGE REPORTING MAPS AVAILABLE - APPOINTMENTS OPEN
Maps are now available at the Berks County FSA Office for acreage reporting purposes. If you wish to receive your maps by e-mail, please call our office 610-478-7158 ext. 2 or email Nakku Senkeeto at nakku.senkeeto@usda.gov. Producers are encouraged to file their acreage reports as soon as planting is completed.
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Pennsylvania Team Ag Ed Scholarships, Grants, and Opportunities
Unlock your potential! Support your educational and career goals. These resources are here to help you grow, lead, and succeed — don't miss out on the chance to invest in your future!
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Field to Table Dinner in a Soybean Field
Join the Berks County Farm Bureau for a five-course field-to-table meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients from Berks County Farmers and producers. Dine enjoying live praise music with dessert served at sunset!
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Experience a Sweet Time in Reading & Berks County This Summer
Experience Reading and Berks County kicks off the 2026 Sweet and Salty Trail on Friday, May 22nd at Jen & Jessie's Creamery in Oley. Visit experienceberks.com to sign up for the free mobile passport.
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June 17, 2026 12:00 pm
Transitioning a farm business is often both an emotional and financial process, particularly when balancing fairness and equality among heirs on and off the farm. This webinar examines strategies for navigating these challenges. Topics include approaches to family communication, components of a transition plan, and considerations for long-term business sustainability. Examples are used to illustrate key concepts and support application to individual situations.
Register by: June 17, 2026
$15 Registration
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AgWorks
Looking for workforce support for your farm business? Penn State Extension's AgWorks program offers free webinars to help you hire, engage, and retain great employees. Here are some upcoming events.
Applying for the H2A and H2B Visa Programs
May 26, 2026 12:00 PM
Registration
Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
May 28, 2026 11:00 AM
Registration
Strategies for Employing a Youth Workforce
June 17, 2026 9:00 AM
Registration
All About Farm Labor Contractors
June 30, 2026 12:00 PM
Registration
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The Formula for Social Media Success - Webinar
June 2, 2026 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
A comprehensive social media workshop to learn how to prioritize, strategize, and develop a clear formula to succeed on social media.
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Penn State Extension Home Food Preservation Workshops
Sinking Spring Library
Learn about today's recommended methods for home food preservation while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past during this in-person event.
Home Food Preservation: Pickling
June 5, 2026 | 3:00 PM or 5:30 PM
Registration
Home Food Preservation: Pressure Canning
July 1, 2026 | 3:00 PM or 5:30 PM
Registration
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GrowForward: PASBDC's Agricultural Innovation Series
Hosted by Bucknell University SBDC
Join industry professionals and Pennsylvania entrepreneurs for the monthly GrowForward: PASBDC Agricultural Innovation webinar series exploring the spectrum of agricultural innovation, from market research and emerging opportunities to product development and commercialization.
Webinar 5 – Intellectual Property, Funding, and Commercialization
May 18, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Registration
| Check out what we've been up to in the Ag Quarterly. | | |
USDA Microloans
Microloans are designed to support small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods. These loans provide up to $50,000 for anything from operating costs like feed and fertilizer, farmland and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. Contact your local Berks County FSA office at 610-478-7158 ext. 2 or read more below.
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PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative
Eligibility:
Entities primarily engaged (70% or more of revenue) in the sale of fresh, staple and perishable food to consumers.
- Entities that operate within Pennsylvania.
- Entities that serve customers in underserved communities.
- Entities that provide access to affordable, high-quality fresh food in these communities.
- Entities that expand access to Pennsylvania-grown or processed produce, dairy, and meat products.
Food Enterprise: A business involved in the production, processing, and marketing of food products. It can include various types of businesses such as food production companies, specialty food processors, cooperatives, farmers markets, and farm-based enterprises which may be for-profit or non-profit that create value-added products.
Grocery Stores: A retail food establishment with one or more retail locations totaling more than 30,000 retail square feet but less than 100,000 square feet.
Grant Types:
Matching reimbursement grants to defray the costs of an eligible project or equipment purchase, where the grant comprises no more than 85% of the project costs.
Grocery Store - up to $500,000
Food Enterprise - up to $100,000
Application Period: Open: 8 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
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USDA Supports Producers with Resources and Financial Aid
USDA offers financial support to help dairy producers enhance biosecurity and offset costs associated with Influenza A testing, veterinary expenses, personal protective equipment purchases, milk disposal, and milk losses.
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Contact GRCA's Director of Lending and Business Outreach,
Kayla Hayick to learn more 610.898.7761 | khayick@greaterreading.org
| | Find your next event, from credit courses to weekend family fun, on the Berks Ag Event Calendar. This calendar is a community effort to benefit farmers and non-farmers alike! Browse events by photo tiles, list, or calendar view. Search by titles, topics, audience or other criteria. Click the event title for more details on each event. |
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Questions? Contact
Berks County Department of Agriculture
at 610-378-1844 or DeptofAg@berkspa.gov
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