Stories from The Allegheny Front archived under
Agriculture/Food
What the Farm Bill Extension Means For PA Ag
The fiscal cliff deal that passed in the final hours of the 112th Congress contained a last-minute, nine-month extension of the 2008 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation that sets agricultural and food assistance policy, and it impacts Pennsylvania.
Heritage Grains Make Comeback on PA Farms
The sustainable food movement has filled our plates with grass-fed meats, artisan cheeses and organic produce. But what about grains? Some chefs and farmers are working to plug the gap in the sustainable food scene by bringing back locally-grown, high-quality grains.
Honeybee Colonies Collapsing At Alarming Rate
Many crops—especially fruits and nuts—depend on bees to pollinate their flowers. New estimates from the federal government shed light on the growing crisis of the loss of honeybees from colony collapse disorder.
Whiskey, Liquors In Regional Organic Holiday Cheer
In the mood for sustainably produced holiday cheer?
No Mmmooooore: Why are Dairy Farms in the Marcellus Closing?
Is mighty Marcellus squeezing the milk industry? That's the finding of a new Penn State study. From increased demand for milk to decreased supply-thanks to the Marcellus Shale industry. Researchers at Penn State recently found a big drop in dairy production in areas where gas drilling was heavy.
Urban Activist Majora Carter Promotes "Greening the Ghetto"
Renowned urban revitalization strategist Majora Carter recently spoke in Pittsburgh about "greening the ghetto." Her successful projects in the Bronx are evidence that green spaces can help curb crime and poverty.
Writer, Naturalist, Amish Farmer
David Kline is an Amishman and environmentalist. He has authored two books and is the editor of Farming Magazine. He is also a full-time organic farmer in Millersburg, Ohio. Kline asked not to have his voice used on the radio because the Amish church prohibits electronic reproduction of their members.
The Buzz in Honeybee Breeding: Local Queen Bees
Without a queen bee a colony can't produce. For the past several years Colony Collapse Disorder has killed off roughly a third of bees every year. That means a lot of beekeepers who need new queens for their hives. Many of those queen bees are bought by mail-order from breeders in the south. A group of researchers at Penn State wants to see if local bees might be a better idea.
Grass-Fed Beef Grab
Eating local is environmentally friendly, but it's hard to find local meat in the supermarket.