HARRISBURG
Soybean board seeking nominations for directors
The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is accepting nominations for farmers and leaders who would be willing to serve on its board of directors.
Any Pennsylvania farmer who raises soybeans that are assessed by the soybean checkoff is eligible.
The volunteer members of the Pennsylvania Soybean Board are responsible for the collection and administration of the soybean checkoff program within Pennsylvania.
For more information, go to
UNIVERSITY PARK
Tyrone Area FFA ranked state’s top chapter
The Tyrone Area FFA Chapter was recognized as the overall top chapter in the state through the National Chapter Award event during the 94th Pennsylvania State FFA Convention at Penn State.
The NCA is the highest honor an FFA chapter can receive and recognizes chapters that actively implement FFA mission and strategies.
Chapters recognized at the event developed activities and conducted meaningful events. For the overall state award, a chapter must complete at least 15 activities: one for each of the five quality standards in each of the three divisions: Growing Leaders, Building Communities and Strengthening Agriculture, and meet the minimum requirements outlined in the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards.
HARRISBURG
Shapiro administration protects farms
The Shapiro Administration recently announced that Pennsylvania preserved 2,044 acres on 29 farms in 15 counties, forever protecting them from future residential or commercial development. The investment of more than $10.2 million in state, county and local dollars preserves prime farmland.
The Leo and Bernard Corl Farm, a 156-acre crop and livestock farm in Benner Township, Centre County, was the only area farm included.
UNIVERSITY PARK
Penn State researchers studying beech leaf disease
A strange disease is creeping through Northeast woods Spreading quickly, it causes leaves and branches to wither and, in many cases, the tree to eventually die.
The arboreal ailment — beech leaf disease — currently has no known treatment or cure, putting large swaths of trees or even entire forests in jeopardy.
But researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural sciences are spearheading ongoing efforts to learn more about the disease and how to combat it.
While beech leaf disease first was observed in Ohio in 2012, it is now particularly widespread in Pennsylvania, with all 67 counties currently affected. Early symptoms of the disease include a dark green banding pattern between the veins of leaves before more severe symptoms spread to the rest of the tree.
While the exact cause and mechanism of the disease is under investigation, and researchers now know that infection with beech leaf disease is associated with a particular species of tiny worms that feed on plant cells, bacteria, fungi and other microscopic creatures.
UNIVERSITY PARK
Penn State hosts international conference
Penn State’s Center for Pollinator Research hosted the 2023 International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy in June.
About 250 people from 15 countries, spanning universities, government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations and stakeholder groups attended.
