04/22/24 - 117 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/9bh4zbtr
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Farm Bureau Troubled By Major Cuts to Agriculture Programs, REAP Increased
|
|
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is troubled by deep cuts to several key agricultural programs, especially reductions to Cooperative Extension and agriculture research, which are included in the new state budget approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Corbett.
Meanwhile, PFB credited the General Assembly for doubling REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection Act of Pennsylvania) program funding to $10 million and for restoring funding to the state budget for the Department of Agriculture in the areas of Agriculture Excellence (such as the Center for Dairy Excellence), Agriculture Research (within PDA) and funding for livestock and dairy shows.
“REAP has helped farmers and businesses invest in agricultural conservation measures, such as forested stream buffers, fencing projects, barnyard improvements and no-till practices by providing state tax incentives as part of the cost-share program. The practices implemented through REAP benefit the environment and local communities,” concluded Shaffer.
PFB has learned that cuts totaling nearly $10.5 million to Penn State’s Agriculture Extension and Agriculture Research programs will result in the elimination of nearly 200 of the 814 permanent jobs within Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
“Agriculture research and Cooperative Extension are vital components of farming and our food industry. Pennsylvania farmers rely on timely assistance provided by agriculture extension agents and valuable developments in research to stay viable in a constantly changing industry. Innovations in research and new information about agricultural practices have not only helped farmers throughout the years, but have also helped keep food prices down for consumers and resulted in conservation improvements on farms to protect the environment,” said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.
"Pennsylvania's farm families support the efforts of Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly to restore fiscal discipline in our state, but the budget cuts in Cooperative Extension and agriculture research are excessive."
Cooperative Extension has been a major help to landowners and the public in understanding issues surrounding the development of Marcellus Shale natural gas in Pennsylvania.
|
|
7/4/2011 |
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
