NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF STATE

The Northeastern Association of State Departments of Agriculture convenes the following 10 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Pennsylvania Department Of Agriculture

Russell Redding Confirmed to Serve as 27th PA Agriculture Secretary

The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed Russell Redding to serve as Pennsylvania’s 27th Secretary of Agriculture. Governor Josh Shapiro nominated Redding, who previously served as Agriculture Secretary under Governors Tom Wolf and Ed Rendell.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve Pennsylvania under Governor Josh Shapiro’s dedicated leadership,” Secretary Redding said. “Since our first conversation, I have been struck by his energy, experience, and vision for Pennsylvania and for agriculture.

I have dedicated my life to agriculture and public service, working to advance an industry that is at the center of some of the most important issues of our time, and shapes the quality of life for every Pennsylvanian.”

Since the beginning of the Shapiro Administration in January, under Redding’s leadership, the department has:

Continued to respond to the Hi-Path Avian Influenza outbreak that has caused devastating losses to Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry, resulting in a loss of 4,650,840 birds statewide since April 2022. Of 47 states hit by the outbreak, Pennsylvania has been the only state to dedicate a $25 million recovery fund to helping poultry producers cover their losses, a fund which Governor Shapiro has proposed adding $25 million to in the next budget year; Begun to distribute $154 million from the new Clean Streams Fund’s Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program to build healthier soil, and cleaner waterways, and boost farm viability for the future; Invested more than $15 million in partnership with county and local governments to ensure that 54 more farms covering 5,085 acres across the state will remain farms and be protected from residential or commercial development forever; Launched a $1.6 million grant program to expand access to emergency food supplies in underserved areas, increasing food security and access to healthy food for children and families wherever they live; Won an $8.8 million boost in federal food assistance funding, plus a performance-based funding increase for effectively administering nutrition programs for low-income seniors; Joined other Shapiro Administration agencies in responding directly to needs and concerns of Pennsylvania farmers and others affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Conducting plant tissue testing in partnership with Penn State Extension, and monitoring of soil, water, and air testing results in partnership with the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency; Awarded $200,000 to further invest in Pennsylvania’s growing hemp industry and boost the potential of farms to supply sustainable, plant-based plastics, construction and other materials, and added $200,000 to funding for Farm Vitality grants to help PA farm businesses plan and sustain their operations in the future; and Expanded the quarantine and continued work to slow the spread of the destructive pest spotted lanternfly, and invited county conservation districts to apply for $150,000 in grants to help slow the spread locally.

New York Department Of Agriculture

State Agriculture Commissioner Announces NYS Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board Members

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced the members of the 2023 New York State Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board. The Advisory Board, which administers the Dairy Promotion Order and evaluates dairy marketing promotion programs, consists of ten New York milk producers appointed by the Commissioner. Each member serves a three-year term starting May 1, 2023. Two of the ten members will serve on the Advisory Board for the first time.

2023 Advisory Board:

Larry Bailey of Fort Ann, endorsed by Dairy Farmers of America; Kim Nelson of West Winfield, endorsed by Agri-Mark; Julie Patterson of Auburn, an at-large member; Jason Kehl of Strykersville, endorsed by Niagara Frontier; Cooperative Milk Producers’ Bargaining Agency, Inc.; Carl Moore of North Bangor, endorsed by NY Farm Bureau; Dean Handy of St. Johnsville, endorsed by New York State Grange; Alicia Lamb of Oakfield, an at-large member; Judi Whittaker of Whitney Point, an at-large member; Roberta Wolf of Lyons, endorsed by Rochester Cooperative Milk Producers’ Bargaining Agency, Inc. and new to the Board*; and Sarah Head of Homer, an at-large member and new to the Board*

Commissioner Ball said, “New York State is home to some of the very best dairy products in the world, and the New York State Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board plays an important role in promoting these worldclass products to consumers across the globe. I congratulate the members of our 2023 Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board, whose work will be essential in guiding New York’s dairy industry as they facilitate important research and promotion projects that are critical to educating consumers about dairy’s impact on our state, from the public health of our citizens to the strength of our economy.”

The Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board advises the Commissioner on the annual distribution of approximately $15.5 million in funds collected from milk producers under the producer-approved New York Dairy Promotion Order. Nominations to the board are submitted by milk producers and endorsed by Dairy Farmers of America, Agri-Mark, Niagara Frontier Cooperative Milk Producers’ Bargaining Agency, Inc., NY Farm Bureau, New York State Grange, and Rochester Cooperative Milk Producers’ Bargaining Agency, Inc.

The board meets regularly to recommend allocations to new programs and to review progress of programs currently funded under the Order, which include dairy promotion programs, nutrition, education, and outreach programs, as well as a variety of innovative dairy product research projects. The first New York State Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board was appointed in May 1972 at the request of dairy producers.

Commissioner Ball thanked the Board’s previous members for their service: Dr. Sheila Marshman and Donald Harwood.

New York’s dairy industry is a critical sector of the state’s economy and as its leading agricultural sector, dairy accounts for approximately onehalf of New York’s total agricultural income. New York State has nearly 3,200 dairy farms that produce over 15 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth largest dairy state. New York’s unique and talented dairy producers and processors provide significant contributions to New York’s agriculture industry, the economy, and to the health of our communities.