PennAg Industries Association is the premier agribusiness association in Pennsylvania. PennAg is a full-time, full-service membership association representing Pennsylvania agribusinesses of all sizes and types that support and serve the entire food chain. PennAg advocates for you in government, public and media affairs. PennAg is your voice.
A full-time staff, headquartered in Harrisburg, provides support to your business at all times.  The team at PennAg is closely monitoring the continuous developments surrounding COVID-19 and its potential spread and impact to the industry. As such, we continue to work closely with local, state and federal experts, to ensure our members have all the necessary information as it becomes available. Through it all, our top priority is the health and well-being of our members and the continuity of your agribusinesses. Regardless of circumstance, make no mistake – we’re still hard at work on your behalf. We live in a very connected world. While there may, at times, be a slight delay in our response during these challenging days ahead, you can expect to not see any disruption in service and support from PennAg otherwise. All PennAg staff will remain available to you via phone and email for assistance. Click here for more details and resources in regards to COVID-19.
PennAg Scholarship Application Period Now Open
PennAg is proud to once again sponsor scholarships through the PennAg Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are awarded to students of PennAg member families. In 2019, we were able to award 7 scholarships worth $11,000. Congratulations and best wishes to all!
We believe building relationships and connecting with the youth of our industry is imperative to the growth and success of the agriculture community. In an effort to ensure the PennAg Scholarship Fund is assisting in the growth and development of the future of the agriculture industry in and around Pennsylvania, eligible applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution, trade, or technical schooling program (2 year minimum) with a focus on agriculture and work for a PennAg member or be a child of a PennAg member.
Click here to download a 2020 PennAg Scholarship Application.
Launch of Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence
On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Chris Herr, executive vice president of PennAg Industries, visited a Heritage Poultry Management organic egg farm in Lebanon County to discuss how their new partnership through the PA Farm Bill’s Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence will assist swine, poultry, and small ruminant producers with everything from expanding processing capacity to biosecurity planning.
“In this ever-changing industry, we’re working to prepare today’s producers for tomorrow’s challenges with a unique variety of essential resources available through this center,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “This partnership opens the door to a stronger animal ag sector in Pennsylvania and a future of opportunity.”
Earlier this year, Governor Tom Wolf signed the first-ever Pennsylvania Farm Bill and funded the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence at $1 million. A board of directors – representative of the swine, poultry, and small ruminant sectors as well as a diverse group of agriculture, animal health, and academic stakeholders – will guide the center to ensure the mission set forth by the PA Department of Agriculture is fulfilled.
The center will provide the following resources and investments to the industry: Biosecurity education and planning assistance; Biosecurity implementation grants; Regional workshops for strategic and emergency communications planning; Build-out of statewide animal agriculture infrastructure; Research to approve hemp for animal feed; and Investments in improved food safety infrastructure.
“PennAg is pleased that the Pennsylvania Farm Bill’s Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence calls attention to the continued growth, challenges, and importance of the livestock industry in the commonwealth,” said PennAg Executive Vice President Chris Herr. “We’re eager to assist in driving the growing poultry and swine industries forward through this new Center, as both play a vital role to Pennsylvania agriculture."
The PA Farm Bill is Governor Wolf’s $23.1 million investment in Pennsylvania agriculture to grow opportunities and resources, remove barriers to entry, and inspire future generations of leaders within agriculture.
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Poultry Health Updates
Visit the PennAg Poultry Council page for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Coryza and VLT information and updates.
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Agricultural Planning Reimbursement Program Extended
The Agricultural Planning Reimbursement Program has been extended for a third year! This program is open to all agricultural operators/landowners in Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. Through this program, folks can be reimbursed for fees they’ve paid to consultants to create manure management plans, nutrient management plans and agricultural erosion and sediment control plans. Reimbursement funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Information is available on DEP’s website. Visit the below links for additional information: · cover sheet (explaining the program) and landowner registration form · reimbursement form template · FAQ Registration deadline: April 1, 2020. Note: There’s a $6,000 limit per farming operation in this program cycle. Planned acres reimbursed previously aren’t eligible to be reimbursed again. Coordinators are ONLY accepting the updated forms dated 8/2019. They will not accept anything on the old forms.
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Fertilizer Nutrient Values Set
The Secretary of Agriculture establishes the commercial values per pound of nitrogen, available phosphate and soluble potash. The values are established as follows: nitrogen at $0.49 per pound, available phosphate at $0.39 per pound, soluble potash at $0.33 per pound. These commercial values are effective beginning July 1, 2019, and shall remain effective until further notice. Additional information can be found on the Pennsylvania Bulletin.Save the Date / Register Today 
Practical Guide to Biosecurity Workshop
With Coryza cases still coming into the labs, biosecurity has been weighing heavily on everyone’s mind. Join us on May 6th from 8 AM – 12 PM at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center to participate in a day of discussion regarding best practices for both the poultry and feed and grain industries.
The day’s agenda will include an industry panel of proven techniques to avoid an outbreak as well as a facilitated question and answer period regarding how the industry would like health information communicated. Spread the word and join us so your voice is heard! Registration is now open for this free event!
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 Register Now for the 2020 Divots for Degrees Golf Outing; Sponsorship Opportunities Available PennAg invites both members and non-members to join in the 2020 Divots for Degrees Golf Tournament at the Four Seasons Golf Club, Landisville, on Thursday, May 14, 2020. As the primary fundraiser, the outing raises money to support the PennAg Scholarship Fund, responsible for supporting the agricultural education of members and/or their children. Since its inception in 1991, the PennAg Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $339,500 to post-secondary, trade and technical school students. The tournament will get underway at noon with a shotgun start and scramble format. Registration includes 18 holes with cart, greens fees, contest entry, light lunch, buffet dinner and a golfer gift item, as well as over a dozen chances to win great prizes via various contests. As always, on course buy-ins will be available, including the purchase of mulligans, the chance to upgrade to the senior tees on a long drive hole, and – new in 2020 – the opportunity to “String It Out,” which allows players to pick up and move their ball in any direction as long as it is no further than the length of the string purchased. The catch is that each time the string is used, the amount of string corresponding to the distance the ball was moved must be cut off. Deadline for entry is Friday, May 8th (Note: some sponsorships require reservation by April 24th; see form for details). Access the registration form here, for more details and to submit your entry.
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April 1
PEQAP Meeting
9:30 a.m.
(will be held via Zoom - https://zoom.us/j/707118594)
April 10
Good Friday
(PennAg Office Closed)
April 15
Live Bird Committee Meeting
1 p.m.
(Room 309, PA Dept. of Ag)
April 23
PennAg Horse Council Meeting
4 p.m.
(Penn National Race Course, Grantville)
May 7
PennAg Board of Directors Meeting
10 a.m.
(AgChoice Farm Credit, Mechanicsburg)
May 13
Poultry Health Committee Meeting
9:30 a.m.
(Penn State Animal Diagnostic Lab, State College)
May 14
PennAg Divots for Degrees Golf Outing
(Four Seasons Golf Club, Landisville)
May 15
PennAg Scholarship Application Deadline
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