Redding Appoints New Deputy Secretary

Jan 21, 2017 | News

Secretary Russell Redding announced Cheryl Cook, an experienced leader on state and national agricultural issues, as the state Department of Agriculture’s new deputy secretary for market development effective Jan. 20.  Cook, who presently serves as the department...

Webinar Jan. 24 to Review Local Food Marketing Survey Results

Jan 21, 2017 | Marketing

More than 167,000 U.S. farms locally produced and sold food through direct marketing practices, resulting in $8.7 billion in revenue in 2015, according to the results from the first Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, originally released on Dec. 20, 2016 by the...

Neonicotinoid Risk Assessments Released

Jan 21, 2017 | Vegetables

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published preliminary pollinator-only risk assessments for the neonicotinoid insecticides clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran and also an update to its preliminary risk assessment for imidacloprid, which we...

Grants to Support Local Food Sector

Jan 21, 2017 | News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the availability of $27 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to strengthen market opportunities for local and regional food producers and businesses.  To...

New Program to Foster Organic Growth

Jan 21, 2017 | News

Today, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help guide farmers transitioning into certified organic agricultural production.   To read more, click here.

Allentown Farm Transition Session Set for Jan. 24

Jan 21, 2017 | News

PA Farm Link will be holding a Farm Succession and Transition Program on Jan. 24 at the Lehigh County Agricultural Center, Allentown, Pa.  Professionals in the agricultural industry will be providing valuable information to farm business owners who are looking to...

More Farm Show Help Urgently Needed

Jan 5, 2017 | News

PVGA still needs more volunteers to staff the Farm Show food booth and the high tunnel exhibit. We are looking for people on the following shifts:     3 people Friday, Jan. 6  noon to 9 p.m.     4 people Saturday, Jan. 7  3 to 9 p.m.     2 people Sunday, Jan. 8   3 to...

Fire Damages Dan Schantz Greenhouse Complex

Jan 5, 2017 | News

The owners of the Dan Schantz farm said a fire that ripped through one of its buildings Tuesday night caused more than $1 million in damage, including the loss of flowers and bulbs awaiting shipment. Despite all that damage at the 83-acre Dan Schantz Farm &...

Still Needed – Farm Show Helpers and High Tunnel Interpreters

Jan 1, 2017 | News

PVGA is still in need of volunteers for the Farm Show Food Booth for the following time slots: Friday, January 6, from noon to 9:00 p.m. (6 to 8) Saturday, January 7, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.  (5) Sunday, January 8, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.  (2) Monday, January 9, from...

Young Grower Award Deadline Extended

Dec 31, 2016 | News

The deadline to apply for the “PVGA Young Grower Award” is being extended to Saturday, January 7, 2017.  The Board of Directors voted to establish the Young Grower award that will be awarded each year by the Leadership and Recognition Committee.  PVGA...