October 20, 2021
SURVEY: How has COVID-19 affected your
agricultural operation or business?
Through the American Rescue Plan, Berks County is to receive $81.6 million in funding over the next several years. These funds will be used to strengthen sectors that were affected by COVID-19, including agriculture. Please take 3 minutes to fill out this survey on how COVID-19 affected your agricultural operation or business.
 
Your information is anonymous and will be used to make informed decisions.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Emily E. Wangolo, Deputy Director, Berks County Department of Agriculture at EWangolo@countyofberks.com or (610) 378-1844, x2543.
Bountiful Berks Awards Nomination
B.A.R.N. is seeking public nominations for our annual Excellence in Agriculture Awards. Please email or snail mail submissions no later than Friday, Oct. 22.
B.A.R.N. looks forward to seeing your nominations for your local farmers, reporters, and community members!
You can join us for the celebration on Monday, Nov. 1. Details to follow.
The Berks County Commissioners were pleased to host the Penn State Extension educators and staff at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 14, 2021. The educators and staff introduced themselves, described their roles with the Penn State Extension and highlighted their upcoming events and diverse educational programs. This diversity and breadth of information is one of the many reasons why Penn State Extension is a valuable partner in Berks County’s commitment to Agriculture.
DEP's New Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Rebates are being offered for:
  • LED lighting
  • Variable frequency drives for milk vacuum pumps
  • Variable frequency drives for ventilation fans
Rebates will pay 50% of equipment costs, up to $2,000. The program is open on a rolling, first-come first-served basis as funding remains available or through March 31, 2022. An informational session on the program and process of submitting a rebate application will be held on October 14.
USDA Offers Assistance to Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Ida

"Production agriculture is vital to the Pennsylvania economy, and USDA stands ready to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Ida," said Gloria Montaño Greene, Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). "I assure you that...

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www.nrcs.usda.gov
Client Applications Being Accepted by Penn State Law’s Rural Economic Development Clinic
Penn State Law’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, teaches a clinic course for law students called the Rural Economic Development Clinic. For students enrolled, they get experience doing legal work for actual clients, under the supervision of the Center’s attorneys. 
 
For the 2021 Fall semester, the Center is soliciting two categories of potential clients who wish to be served, at no cost, by the Rural Economic Development Clinic. Acceptance of clients for the clinic’s work is always subject to the Center’s discretion, case load and capacity at any given time. 
 
Right now, the Center wishes to hear from potential clients who need legal services in the following two areas:

(1) Review of Options to Lease and/or Lease Agreements for photovoltaic electrical generation (i.e. utility-scale solar leases); and

(2) Preparation of Acknowledgement Agreements under Pennsylvania’s new Agritourism Activity Protection Act (commonly referred to as “waivers” of liability). 

If you wish to apply to be served by the clinic in October and November 2021, apply as soon as possible at https://aglaw.psu.edu/legal-clinic/ by filling out the CLIENT APPLICATION.
USDA To Launch Loan Guarantee Initiative to Create More...

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 4, 2021 - As part of the Administration's efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today...

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www.usda.gov
USDA Introduces New Insurance Policy for Farmers Who...

United States Department of Agriculture WASHINGTON, Oct 6, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out a new insurance option specifically for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally. The new Micro Farm policy ...

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www.rma.usda.gov
Organic Certification Costs: Small Investment, Greater...

Welcome to Consultant's Corner - a series addressing some of the biggest obstacles, opportunities, and rewards of transitioning to organic as told by our very own Organic Crop Consultants. In this feature, Emily Newman writes about how the...

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rodaleinstitute.org
Using Quickbooks to Manage Your Farm Business

Learn basic accounting principles and QuickBooks to run your farm business; this includes Chart of Accounts, Customer and Vendor centers, assets, and loans.

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extension.psu.edu
BARN Agrotourism Law Event with PSUBerks

GRCA, the Berks Agricultural Resource Network, the Berk County Department of Agriculture, and Penn State Extension are partnering to provide an explanation of the recently signed Agritourism Activity Protection Act (Act 27 of 2021) and what...

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business.greaterreading.org
A cooperative effort between
the GRCA and the Berks County Department of Agriculture
through the support of the Berks County Commissioners.
Questions?:
Contact Tami Hildebrand at thildebrand@countyofberks.com 
or 484-818-0845.