Philip Gruber

Pennsylvania

News Editor and Print Content Manager at Lancaster Farming

News manager at Lancaster Farming newspaper @LancFarming

Articles

Rick Ebert Tapped for Farm Service Agency Post

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

Rick Ebert will serve as state executive director for the Farm Service Agency in Pennsylvania, USDA said Monday. Ebert, of Blairsville, served as president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau from 2014 to 2022. kAmkDA2?mw6 D6CG65 @? E96 p>6C:42? u2C> qFC62F u656C2E:@?
Virginia Farmers Look to Convince Others on Conservation

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Bob Waring knows that to persuade farmers to try a new management strategy, you’ve got to get practical. If the topic is using a roller-crimper to terminate cover crops, farmers will want to know how to plant into such thick biomass and how soon the nutrients from the dead plants will be available for the cash crop. kAmkDA2?mu2C>6CD 2C6 2=D@ :?E6C6DE65 E@ =62C? E92E[ H:E9 E96 7=2EE6?65 G6E49 DFAAC6DD:?8 H665D[ (2C:?8 ?66565 ?@ A@DE\6>6C86?46 96C3:4:56D @?
Virginia No-Till Alliance President Spreads His Message

2 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

MOUNT SOLON, Va. — It’s a rare idea that can revolutionize the way someone sees their life’s work, but that’s exactly what no-tilling did for Doug Fifer. Since attending a no-till conference in 2011, Fifer has changed his approach to farming and become so enthusiastic that he’s now the president of the Virginia No-Till Alliance. kAmkDA2?m“xE H2D =:<6 x H2D DFAA@D65 E@ 92G6 366?
Crop Groups Say 'Make America Healthy Again' Report Misleads on Ag Chemicals

2 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

Crop organizations say President Donald Trump’s administration is raising baseless questions about pesticide safety in the first report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission. The commission’s first report, on potential causes of chronic diseases in children, was announced May 22 and reflects long-running interests of Health Secretary Robert F.
5 Investments That Paid Off, or Might, for a Virginia Dairy

2 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

MOUNT SOLON, Va. — Lee Simmons has been looking for ways to improve Big Rock Dairy since 1999, when he began taking over the farm from his parents. Simmons’ father, the frugal fourth generation of the family on the farm, had been reluctant to borrow money for farm improvements. But with his sons growing up, Simmons believed he had to make upgrades to cow performance and water quality. He started by fencing off paddocks with water stations and concrete walkways.
Revised Chesapeake Bay Plan Will Tackle Climate Change, Using Trump-Friendly Language

2 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Climate change is affecting the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, but the region’s new cleanup plan won’t mention that hot-button phrase. Instead, the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement will refer to “changing environmental conditions” as bay advocates seek wording acceptable to President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency.
Pennsylvania Stands By Lanternfly Quarantine as Virginia Quits

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

Pennsylvania is expanding its spotted lanternfly quarantine even as Virginia drops its controls. For Pennsylvania, a key goal is protecting the state’s $1.8 billion wine and grape industry. Many of the producers are concentrated in Erie County, one of the last places in the state to remain untouched by the invasive insect. The lanternfly is largely spread by riding on vehicles. Businesses in the quarantine zone, including farms, must inspect loads and trucks before travel.
Asparagus Grower Kicks Off New Jersey Produce Season

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

CEDARVILLE, N.J. — Asparagus stalks moved briskly down the conveyor belt Tuesday as hair-netted workers sorted, bunched and boxed the first fruits of New Jersey’s 2025 produce harvest. “Before you know it, blueberries will be here, squash, sweet corn, cucumbers, peppers,” said Joe Atchison, the assistant state ag secretary. Atchison joined about 20 local officials and Ag Department staff for a tour of Eastern Fresh Growers to kick off the produce season for the Jersey Fresh promotional program.
House Ag Republicans Push $300B Cuts to SNAP

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

The House Agriculture Committee debated cuts to food assistance this week in a fight that demonstrated how far apart the two parties are on passing a Farm Bill. Over Tuesday and Wednesday, Republicans touted their plan to tighten work requirements and combat payment errors. “An efficiently delivered benefit with a meaningful incentive to work toward independence is a win for both the taxpayers and for the SNAP recipient,” said Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., the committee chairman.
New Jersey Governor Vetoes Bill to Ease Rules for Winery Events

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Philip Gruber

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has vetoed a bill to allow special events in recently constructed buildings on preserved farms. The bill, which passed the Legislature unanimously, would allow wineries on preserved farmland to host wine tastings in new buildings if the revenue from special events on the farm do not exceed 10% of the farm’s revenue for the year.