Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has announced the official start of Pennsylvania’s maple tapping season. The season is being marked by a visit to one of the state’s oldest maple farms, Dewy Meadows Farm in Warren Center, Bradford County.
Secretary Redding was joined by Pennsylvania Maple Producers Council members and Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council members as he celebrated the occasion.
“Pennsylvania agriculture is a sweet business to be in,” Secretary Redding said. “There’s no better place to tell that story than on a family-run maple farm like Dewy Meadows. But what’s even sweeter is having a governor like Josh Shapiro, who recognizes how central it is to a bright, promising future for families and communities across our Commonwealth, and how critical it is to invest in our future together.”
The Pennsylvania Maple Producers Council represents Pennsylvania’s maple farmers, and the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council supports the growth of the Pennsylvania forest products industry.
The two organizations are part of a $39 billion plan to invest in Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, focusing on sustainable growth and creating jobs.
The 2024-25 state budget includes $145,000 for a new pest detection program that uses dogs to prevent the outbreak of pests, which can be costly and potentially harmful.
The budget also allocates $8 million for the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, which helps farmers to protect soil and water resources.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bill, which provides grants and initiatives to promote the sale of PA-grown and made products, is also funded in the new budget.
These investments are expected to create jobs and boost the economy while also helping to ensure the sustainability of Pennsylvania’s agriculture and forest products industries.
Story source: PA Dept. of Agriculture