Agriculture/Pa. Farms
USDA promotes rural energy investments in Pennsylvania
SINKING SPRING, Pa. – To promote President Joe Biden’s “Investing in Rural America” event series, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made two visits in the Keystone State on Thursday, touting the latest round of grants in Pennsylvania. The USDA formally announced an additional $3.6 million in grants to help 30 agricultural producers and small […]
Shapiro signs bill to make Pa. Preferred Organic label permanent
Established in 2019 as part of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, the PA Preferred Organic Program was part of efforts to help Pennsylvania farmers increase and diversify their income.
Buying the farm: Pa. lawmakers concerned about foreign ownership of agricultural land
When a Chinese food manufacturer bought 300 acres of farmland in Grand Forks, North Dakota in 2022 it set off a wave of concern among lawmakers, farmers, and other stakeholders, who called the operation, approximately 20 minutes from Grand Forks Air Force Base, a national security risk. Since then, concern has continued to grow about the impact of foreign-owned farms and farmland across the United States, including in Pennsylvania.
Feds pledge $2.3 billion to boost ag exports amid farm bill uncertainty
The new federal funding — $1.3 billion for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and $1 billion to combat global hunger — will be paid out of the Commodity Credit Corporation, which the Biden administration has used for myriad new agriculture initiatives, including those that promote “climate smart” practices.
Pa. announces second round of emergency food assistance funding for food banks, pantries
Qualified food banks, pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens are invited to apply for the $2.5 million in funding available through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants.
As consumers flock to organic foods, lawmakers urge more federal grants for farmers
WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers are pushing a bill that would boost support for organic farmers amid rising demand for their products. U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Angus King of Maine in the Senate, alongside U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree of Maine and Annie Kuster of New Hampshire in the House, introduced the Organic Market […]
Farm bill stalled amid U.S. House speaker battle, delay of spending bills
WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat. But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.” The previous farm […]
Rural America a focus for bipartisan health caucus formed in U.S. House
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan congressional caucus aims to improve accessibility to quality health care and services in rural U.S. communities. The Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus had its first meeting Sept. 20 and serves as a forum for U.S. representatives to promote legislation and policy actions regarding rural health. Members came together to discuss the issues […]
Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland probed at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — U.S. senators said during a Wednesday hearing that foreign ownership of U.S. farmland is a national security threat that should be further examined. The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry discussed foreign ownership of the nation’s agricultural lands, with testimony from experts and Senate colleagues who have been taking the lead […]
The farm bill is on the verge of expiring. Congress is months away from a new version.
WASHINGTON — As the deadline for Congress to pass a new farm bill looms this weekend, staff members of the House and Senate Agriculture committees say it will be months – if not longer – until they reach agreement on a new bill. Lawmakers must rewrite the sweeping farm bill every five years to set […]
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says
WASHINGTON — As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions of low income families afford healthy food could see substantial cuts. The White House released a state-by-state breakdown, estimating that nearly 7 million people who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, […]
Feds pledge more than $1 billion to plant trees in cities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced hundreds of grants that total about $1.13 billion to plant new trees and maintain them in cities across the country. Tom Vilsack, the federal agriculture secretary and former governor of Iowa, traveled to Cedar Rapids Thursday to highlight the spending, which is being funded through last year’s Inflation […]