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Farm Transition & Long-Term Care Resources Workshop
Join the Berks County Dept. of Agriculture and PA Farm Link for an in-person Farm Succession Workshop on March 26th at the Ag Center in Leesport, PA – focused on helping farm families plan for the future with clarity and confidence. This full-day workshop brings together experienced professionals to guide participants through key aspects of farm succession, including financial preparedness, farm family communication, long-term care considerations, and essential legal planning. Designed for farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals, this workshop offers practical tools, real-world insights, and time for questions to support successful farm transitions. Lunch and Planning Workbooks included. $10 Registration (refunded at the workshop)
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Pennsylvania AgForum
Penn State Extension invites stakeholders from various sectors to identify collective actions to address the challenges confronting Pennsylvania's farming community.This six-hour forum brings stakeholders together to explore agricultural challenges and collaborate using the Strategic Doing approach. Guest speakers share insights on farm health and well-being. Lunch is provided.
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2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Industry Award Winners Announced
The 2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Industry Awards were awarded at this year’s Pennsylvania Dairy Summit. The annual awards program recognizes dairy professionals who showcase leadership, service, and excellence across the state’s dairy industry. This year's winners included two Berks County farmers.
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USDA Value Added Producer Grants
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that:
- Generate new products from raw agricultural commodities
- Create and expand marketing opportunities
- Increase producer income through enhanced product value and market reach
These grants support either:
- Planning activities (e.g., feasibility studies, business and marketing plans)
- Working capital needs (e.g., processing, packaging, advertising, inventory, and salaries)
The next current application window opened January 15, 2026, with electronic applications are due by 1:00 p.m. on April 15, 2026.
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Ag Innovation Grants
Eligibility:
• A person who grows an agricultural commodity and who has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 per year.
• A person who processes an agricultural commodity and has anticipated sales greater than$10,000 per year.
• A person who provides technical assistance or services to farmers for conservation, engineering, veterinary care, animal disease management, farm management, agricultural commodity production, nutrient management or similar services.
Grant Types:
Planning Grant
On-site Grant
Regional Impact Grant
Application Period: Open: February 2nd, 2026 (8:00 AM) Close: April 18th, 2026 (11:59 PM)
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Ag Literacy Week
The Berks County Department of Agriculture and B.A.R.N. will celebrate Ag Literacy Week March 16th – 20th. Volunteers will be reading Cows Can Moo! Can You? to Berks County elementary students in grades K-2 to teach them about agriculture and where their food comes from.
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B.A.R.N Annual Meeting
When: Monday, March 2, 2026 | 6-7:30 PM
Where: Schuylkill Valley Community Library, 1310 Washington Rd, Leesport, PA 19533
Attendees can expect to learn about the most up-to-date organizational initiatives and projects. Opportunity for questions and discussion.
There will also be an ag-related educational portion included (topic TBD). Quarterly meetings are open to the public. All are welcome!
We invite agricultural leaders, business and organizational representatives, advocates, and interested citizens from across Berks County to attend. We welcome you to share your insights, identify opportunities for collaboration, and help determine how B.A.R.N. and its members and stakeholders can best unite to support our community.
Refreshments will be provided!
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National Ag Day
Join the Berks County Department of Agriculture at Kutztown University on March 17, 2026, for our annual National Ag Day event. This year we will be bringing Pennsylvania German culture and history with a presentation on barn stars “Schtanne”. Participants will participate in a hands-on activity, a light lunch, and all the history of Berks County Barn Stars that you can handle. Patrick Donmoyer, author and director of the PA German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown will take you on a tour of Northern Berks Farmland while providing an in-depth presentation about the artistic process, history, and cultural significance of Barn Stars. We are partnering with Kutztown University, as well as America 250 PA/Berks, and Berks 275 to bring you this free event. You will not want to miss this, space is limited. Contact the Dept of Ag at 610-378-1844 as soon as possible to secure your spot.
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Planning for the Farm and the Future Workshop
From business startup through transition to the next generation, this intensive one-day workshop focuses on the business, savings, and succession decisions that shape a farm’s future. Participants will hear from farm owners who have partnered with professionals to plan for long-term viability and retirement, explore business and ownership structures that support farm goals, and learn about practical tools and resources from industry experts. Whether you are just getting started or preparing to transition farm management and ownership, this program offers relevant education and opportunities to connect with peers navigating similar decisions.
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Farm Tour Impacts on Public Perceptions of Dairy Farming
This live webinar explores how farmer-guided farm tours shape public knowledge and perceptions of dairy farming, using insights from mixed-methods research conducted at Canadian Breakfast on the Farm events. The session offers valuable context for farmers, educators, and communicators interested in building more effective connections with the public.
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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 3 – Customer Discovery and Market Research
March 16, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Registration https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/33291
Webinar 4 – Prototyping and Testing
April 20, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Registration
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. | | 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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