Four Lancaster County farms were awarded more than $2.2 million total in tax-exempt, low-interest financing through the state’s Next Generation Farmer Loan Program.

Members of the Agricultural Preserve Board were joined Friday by government officials, local business leaders and farmers at Rock Lititz in Warwick Township to celebrate the 1,000th farm preserved in the county since the program was initiated.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture hosted more than 30 representatives of the state’s organic industry on Monday to give updates on the development of the PA Preferred Organic program.

This year, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture issued more than 300 permits to grow hemp on nearly 600 acres at more than 800 locations around the state, according to a press release.

The Spotted Lanternfly, the dreaded invasive species spreading through Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, is causing permitting issues for businesses operating and transporting goods within a 14-county quarantine zone, so the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering 31 in-person permitting classes.