Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By Chuck Gill Penn State University UNIVERSITY PARK – Natural-gas development appears to be associated with falling dairy production in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region, but the exact reasons for the decline are unclear, according to researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. In recent years, anecdotal evidence has suggested thatnatural-gas development is benefitting many Pennsylvania farmers, with money from gas leases and royalties allowing producers to pay off debt, invest in new equipment and remain active in a business often characterized by razor-thin profit margins. Still other reports have indicated that some farmers are using gas-related income to make major changes to their operations or to leave agriculture altogether. However, very little data exists to measure the true impact of natural-gas development on agriculture in the state. To get a better picture of how the natural-gas boom is affecting Pennsylvania’s top agricultural sector, dairy farming, ...

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson has nominated Ken Kane, a native of McKean County, Pa., to serve as a member of the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced its new forest planning rule in January, which included the formation of the committee to advise the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the USFS on implementation of the final rule. “I write today to nominate Mr. Ken Kane of Pennsylvania, to be a member of the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule,” wrote Thompson in a letter nominating Kane. “Living in a small town located within the boundaries of the Allegheny National Forest, Mr. Kane has a unique perspective of forestry and understands our nation’s need for healthy, well-managed forests.” Comprised of up to 21 members from across the country representing a range of pu...

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to approve federal support for the Town of Westfield to make critical repairs to the Barcelona community’s aging and damaged water lines. Due to the outdated system, residents and businesses in the Hamlet of Barcelona have not had access to high-quality drinking water in recent months, and have been forced to boil water for consumption or to purchase bottled water. The system has suffered water main breaks, causing pressure loss and inviting dangerous germs and harmful contaminants into the system. The town is seeking $1 million in federal funding and loans to help make these repairs, which would otherwise be a serious burden on ratepayers and local taxpayers. “Clean water is absolutely essential for economic prosperity and public health, and Barcelona’s system is far overdue for these important upgrades,” said Schumer. “Left to shoulder the burden on their own, ratepayers and local taxpayers will have ...