United States Department of Agriculture

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed an emergency declaration for Pennsylvania farmers Tuesday. The declaration will help farmers who lost crops during freezing weather in April.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins participated in a roundtable discussion with farmers at Applewood Farm in Scott Twp. before signing the declaration.

WVIA News visited the Pennsylvania Farm Show last week to report on the richness of the annual event as it happened, but also with an eye toward larger trends in Keystone State agriculture, from potatoes to rodeo riding and bird flu.

The record-breaking federal government shutdown ended Wednesday, restoring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to more than 42 million Americans who rely on the food assistance program, including more than 2 million people in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Josh Shapiro helped pack groceries while talking about the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund at Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston as SNAP benefits are frozen for more than two million Pennsylvanians due to the government shutdown.

Federal judges ruled that President Donald Trump's administration must use emergency funds to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits. The Trump administration will restore benefits, but only half. Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro pledged $5 million to food banks.

November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits will not be paid to Pennsylvanians due to the federal government shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified states earlier this month that it would not be able to fully fund SNAP for November during the shutdown.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan promoted legislation to support food banks, farmers and lay the groundwork for the next nationwide Farm Bill at a press event in Franklin Township, near Dallas.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has sued the USDA over the termination of a three-year, $13 million dollar food assistance contract. But that's only one issue taxing Pennsylvania's food assistance programs. And, former Congressman Matt Cartwright explains his decision not to run again in 2026.

Fewer people may be able to get produce at farmers markets this summer. There are fewer farmers market vouchers available and their distribution is delayed. And, former U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright will not run for Congress again next year.