department-of-agriculture

Ag. Sec Russell Redding confirmed by state Senate

BY: - May 10, 2023

Redding, whose nomination moved through the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Tuesday with a “favorable nomination,” previously led the state Department of Agriculture under the Wolf and Rendell administrations. 

Ag Sec. Russell Redding’s nomination approved by state Senate committee

BY: - May 9, 2023

Under his eight-year tenure with the Wolf administration, Redding led efforts to create the first-ever state Farm Bill, bolster Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce, support the mental health of farmers and agricultural producers, incorporate sustainable practices at farms across the commonwealth, make Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement self-sustaining, and to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congressional farm leaders split over work requirements for food aid, climate funds

BY: - April 27, 2023

Thompson suggested the House Agriculture Committee could request the House Appropriations Committee reappropriate Inflation Reduction Act funds to the farm bill baseline, given the House’s jurisdiction over federal spending granted in Article I of the Constitution.

State Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta, D-Chester, attends a Senate Education Committee Hearing held at the Pennsylvania Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

State lawmakers propose legislative reforms for Pa. dog law

BY: - April 6, 2023

The reforms, which are part of a three-pronged, companion proposal by state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, and Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, mirror a similar legislative package enacted in Virginia last year. 

Dept. of Ag expands Spotted Lanternfly quarantine ahead of hatching season | Five for the Weekend 

BY: - April 1, 2023

Pennsylvania's quarantine area now covers 51 of the Commonwealth's 67 counties. 

Acting Ag Sec. Redding faces questions about organics, dog law, avian flu at budget talks

BY: - March 28, 2023

Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding heard questions from lawmakers on Tuesday about his agency’s $231.2 million budget request, and how it plans to address such issues as organic farming, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

Lawmakers, seeing demand for organic produce, seek to make Pa. Preferred program permanent

BY: - March 15, 2023

The department will defend its proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year at a Senate Appropriations hearing on March 28.

Shapiro, Redding discuss the future of Pa. agriculture under new administration at 2023 Farm Show

BY: - January 11, 2023

The luncheon, which took place in the Banquet Hall of the bustling Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, featured several speakers, including state Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro, and Penn State University President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi. 

Redding unveils 2023 Farm Show butter sculpture | Five for the Weekend

BY: - January 7, 2023

The sculpture, a Farm Show tradition that celebrates the commonwealth's dairy farmers, is carved from 1,000 pounds of butter, showcasing this year's theme: "Rooted in Progress."

Ag Sec Redding looks back on eight years of progress and challenges as Wolf admin winds down

BY: - December 26, 2022

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has served the commonwealth under the Wolf administration for the last eight years.  In that time, Redding, of Adams County, led efforts to create the first-ever state Farm Bill, bolster Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce, support the mental health of farmers and agricultural producers, incorporate sustainable practices at farms across the commonwealth, make Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement self-sustaining, and to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

State veterinary officials clear Santa’s reindeer for flight

BY: - December 21, 2022

Dr. Kevin Brightbill, Pennsylvania’s state veterinarian, and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said that they had received a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from the North Pole, reporting that the reindeer are “physically fit for air travel” ahead of their 41-million-mile trip to deliver approximately 111 million presents all across the world. 

Pa. farmers, producers urged to participate in USDA Census of Agriculture | Five for the Weekend

BY: - December 17, 2022

Happy weekend, all.  State officials are urging farmers and agricultural producers across the commonwealth to participate in the 2022 Census of Agriculture from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The Census of Agriculture is conducted nationally every five years to gather data to “help give an accurate picture of agricultural production in every U.S. county, inform food and agriculture policies […]