Latest news with #Heffner
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PA ag secretary visits Schuylkill dairy farm
Milking cows is far from a 9 to 5 job, says Kent Heffner, owner of Jersey Acres Farm in Wayne Township. Cows needed to be milked early in the morning and late every day, even on weekends and holidays, and days when the weather is lousy, he said. 'It's not a job that too many people want to do anymore,' he said. So Heffner is in the process of buying a robotic milking machine which will make his 230-cow dairy operation much more efficient and will be a boon to the family-owned business, he said. The machine should be in place by the end of 2026. 'This is what we need to keep going,' he said. 'It'll help a great deal.' But that purchase would not have been possible without a $100,000 grant last year from Pennsylvania's new Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, which the state touts as the first program of its kind. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Jersey Acres to speak about how state grants are assisting farms across the state thrive by helping them pay for planning and robotic technology. Redding announced a doubling of the grant amounts now available to farmers for planning and spoke about how Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2025-26 budget plan proposes a $13 million hike to the historic Agriculture Innovation Grant program through which Heffner bought the robotic milker. Jersey Acres is one of 6,530 preserved farms across Pennsylvania that will stay farms forever as part of the nation's leading state Farmland Preservation program. In addition to its dairy, Jersey Acres also grows fruit and vegetables, makes wine and has a roadside farm stand. The dairy received a Farm Vitality Grant of $1,312 in 2024 to help pass the farm down within the Heffner family, and in 2025 won the $100,000 innovation grant for the milkers. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, left, speaks with Jersey Acres Farm owner Kent Heffner during a tour of the family's Wayne Township dairy on May 27, COURTESY OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) The planning grant allowed Heffner to set up a succession plan for the farm, which has been in his family since 1911. He is the fourth generation of the family to operate the dairy, and his children will be the fifth. Farm Vitality Planning Grants of up to $15,000 can be combined with other Pennsylvania Farm Bill grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives to help plan and finance farm transitions. The previous maximum for those grants was $7,500. 'Farm Vitality Grants are helping farmers across Pennsylvania get the market analysis, financial planning, risk management, and other expertise they need to realize their vision for their farm's future, whether that's expanding their operations or protecting their family's farming legacy,' Redding said. 'The Shapiro Administration recognizes that investing in the future success of farm families is investing in all Pennsylvanians, because when farms thrive, we all thrive together.' Since the grants were created under the Pennsylvania Farm Bill in 2019, they have supported $2.8 million in project planning, and financial and technical expertise to support growth opportunities for 401 Pennsylvania farms. Sixty percent of the grants have helped families planning to transition ownership of their farm to keep it in the family or pass it to new owners who will carry on their farming legacy. This includes 148 owners of preserved farms, including Heffner, who are protecting their prime farmland from future residential or commercial development. Fourth-graders from Blue Mountain Elementary West accompanied Redding during Tuesday's tour of the farm along Panther Valley Road. The Heffner family has made the farm a tourism and educational destination, where young people can learn first-hand how a modern dairy operates and how cutting-edge technology makes the dairy products that they enjoy safe and healthy, Redding said. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding tours Jersey Acres Farm in Wayne Township with students and teachers from Blue Mountain Elementary West on May 27, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) Other available agricultural programs from the state include: * Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, which provides tax credits as an incentive to those who sell or rent agricultural assets to beginning farmers. * Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemptions, through which beginning farmers purchasing preserved farms have been given tax exemptions. * Next Generation Farmer Loan Program, which uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a farmer's interest rate for capital purchases in order to help young families fund farm expansions and purchases. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is also now partnering with the Penn State Extension and PA Farm Link on the first Farm Progression Survey in the state in 20 years. Data gathered from the brief survey will help Pennsylvania strengthen rural communities and support the future of farming in the region, officials said. Responses are confidential and the survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding tours Jersey Acres Farm in Wayne Township on May 27, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) Along with the $13 million allocated to the historic Ag Innovation Grant Program, other agricultural investments in Shapiro's 2025-26 budget plan include a proposed $2 million to keep Pennsylvania's new animal diagnostic laboratory in the western part of the state operational, an additional $4 million to connect Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, a $4 million increase to the State Food Purchase Program to provide emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians, plus continued funding of $13.5 million for the initiatives and funding to keep Pennsylvania farms thriving through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘It's a disaster,' Lonoke County community cleans up damage from Sunday tornado
LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. – On Monday, the National Weather Service in Little Rock confirmed an EF-1 tornado as wide as five football fields touched down in Lonoke County Sunday night. The Lonoke Sheriff's Office said that on Sunday at around 7 p.m., they got reports of tornado damage in the area of the 16th Section community. There were no injuries or deaths, but there was reported damage to the cemetery, power lines, homes and other structures. National Weather Service confirms EF-1 tornado during Sunday storm Sherry Berry said she has lived in her home for decades, but was terrified when she could feel her home shaking and hear the wind from the tornado. 'I guess maybe that's why they say it was like a train,' Berry said. 'We closed the door to our bedroom and heard a big bang, and that was a tree coming down. The tree came down in the middle of Berry's home, crushing her kitchen. Living next to Berry is fourth-generation cattle farmer Regina Heffner. She and her family are having to pick up the pieces of scrap metal that were scattered across their land after damage to a barn roof. 'We have about 30 acres. The tornado took the roof off of our barn up here, so there's tin as far as you could see,' Heffner said. National Weather Service confirms tornado hit west side of Fayetteville She also says they have to fix the damage to their home, cars, other bars and even their large grain bins. 'It had a lot of force behind it because those are bolted into concrete into the ground,' Heffner said. 'It sounds like it's going to be really expensive.' For Tarci Cates, she said it's overwhelming looking at the fallen tree limbs around her 'We worked so hard to get where we are,' Cates said. National Weather Service confirms EF-1 tornado in Saline County As many continue to clean up, they said they are thankful they are unharmed and hope they can recover from the damage as soon as possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Alto couple arrested for large amounts of drugs, guns, and cash in home
The Brief Jonathan Clayton Burrell of Cornelia and Kateland Elaine Heffner of Cleveland were arrested on Feb. 11 during a search warrant execution at a home on Kitchens Road in Alto. Authorities confiscated large amounts of marijuana, THC concentrates, edibles, two firearms, and cash. Both suspects face multiple felony charges and remain in custody at the Habersham County Detention Center. HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. - A two-week investigation into illegal drug activity in Habersham County resulted in the arrest of two suspects, the seizure of drugs, firearms, cash, and two vehicles, and an ongoing effort to combat narcotics distribution in the area. What we know The Habersham County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division, along with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and Special Operations Unit, executed a search warrant at 550 Kitchens Road in Alto on Tuesday. During the search, deputies seized a large quantity of marijuana, THC vapes, gummies, edibles, and concentrates, along with two firearms and cash. As a result, Burrell and Heffner were arrested and booked at the Habersham County Detention Center in Clarkesville. Burrell faces multiple felony charges, including: Sale of a controlled substance Possession of a firearm during certain crimes (2 counts) Possession with intent to distribute (3 counts) Unlawful possession with intent to distribute marijuana Heffner is also charged with multiple felonies, including: Sale of marijuana Possession of a firearm during certain crimes (2 counts) Possession of THC with intent to distribute (3 counts) Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute What's next The investigation remains active and ongoing as authorities work to identify additional individuals involved in illegal drug distribution. Residents with information on drug-related activity in Habersham County are encouraged to call the Habersham County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at (706) 839-0559 or submit a tip online at For tips outside the county, individuals can contact the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office Tip Line at (706) 348-7410.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bunny Throws Temper Tantrum Over 'Absolutely Nothing' & It's Full of Diva Energy
Someone is hopping mad! Bunny mom Alexa from Scottsdale, Arizona was so confused when her bun pitched a fit recently. It came out of nowhere! She couldn't understand it. But like the good mama she was, Alexa took the time to figure out where all that bunny attitude was coming from. Unfortunately for the bun, her temper tantrum was pretty darn cute to the internet. Can we help it if bunnies are too cute for their own good? to watch the video. The bunny's fit was so small and contained, if her mama hadn't pointed it out we're not sure we'd have even noticed. The rabbit was just chilling in the bathroom, but her mom could tell something was off.'Heffner, what's wrong?' she asked in the clip. It seems like the bunny was hopping mad (get it). She stomped her foot at her mama. It was a movement so slight that you could have almost miss it. 'You've been thumping — HEY,' the woman said as her bun stomped her little feet. 'Watch my bunny throw a temper tantrum over absolutely nothing,' the woman joked in the video's onscreen caption. 'Talk about an attitude.' People in the comments section couldn't stop laughing. 'Legend has it that she's still sitting there waiting for the bunny to tell her what's wrong,' joked one person. 'My bunny throws a FIT if I move anything in his area that is 'his,'' someone else shared. 'My bunny chewed a hole in my sheets because I turned the lights off and he wasn't ready for bed yet,' added another commenter. While another person has a simple reason why the bun was cranky. 'She's just a girl,' they joked. Though they aren't the most verbal creatures, there are lots of ways that rabbits let us know how they feel. When a bun is happy, you'll know it by their body language. You can also tell when they're peeved by their body language too. Thumping, or stomping, is a sure way to know that your bunny is unhappy. In the wild it can be a sign that a bunny sees something that they perceive to be a threat or a danger. Even domesticated rabbits will do this. So if your bunny is 'having a fit,' make sure to look around. There could be something that's spooking them and they're trying to warn you of danger. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ridgewood Winery on Daffodil Hill Farm breaks ground on expansion in Berks
Ridgewood Winery has broken ground on a project to expand winemaking operations and add an event center to its location in Colebrookdale Township. The multiphase project will convert a barn on the property into an event center, add a parking lot, and outfit a shed for wine manufacturing, according to project engineers DESCCO Design & Construction, Richmond Township. Owners Bill and Tracy Smith opened the location, Ridgewood Winery's second, on the 26-acre Daffodil Hill Farm, 215 Township Line Road, in 2019. 'This expansion represents the next chapter in Ridgewood Winery's growth story,' Bill Smith said in a press release. 'Since establishing our first location in 2013 in Birdsboro, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, we've been committed to creating award winning wines.' Ridgewood Winery owners Tracy and Bill Smith celebrate the groundbreaking of a project to expand Ridgewood Winery on Daffodil Hill Farm. (Courtesy of DESCCO Design and Construction) Operating out of a historic farmhouse, the location offers wine tastings and Ridgewood's wine for sale on weekends. The goal is to eventually allow Ridgewood at Daffodil Hill to grow its vines onsite, said Tim Heffner, vice president and senior project manager at DESCCO. Phase one will involve building the 100-space parking lot, modifying a shed for winemaking and converting part of the barn into a storage space. The second phase will convert the barn's upper floor into a three seasons event space and turn part of the barn's lower level into a wine tasting area. The event space will have a capacity of about 150 people, with the smaller wine tasting space holding around 20, Heffner said. Owners and DESCCO representatives broke ground on phase one during a ceremony last week. 'We're excited to enhance our Bechtelsville location while maintaining the historic integrity of the property which makes Ridgewood Winery unique,' Tracy Smith said in a press release. 'This expansion will allow us to better serve our growing community and customer base of wine enthusiasts all while preserving the rich heritage of these historic properties.' Heffner noted plans to renovate the farmhouse, which was originally built in 1822, have been in the works since about 2021. He said it was his company's first time modifying a winery, and he is looking forward to seeing the project's finished product. The first phase of the project will likely wrap up in April, Heffner said. Ridgewood Winery's other location is at 2039 Philadelphia Ave. in Cumru Township. The Smiths opened that site in 2013. Ridgewood also operates a seasonal location at Colebrookdale Railroad. Ridgewood at Daffodill Hill is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The Cumru location is open Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit From left, Ava Maddocks, media specialist with DESCCO Design and Construction, Inc., Tracy and Bill Smith, Ridgewood Winery owners, and Tim Heffner, vice president and senior project manager at DESCCO celebrate the groundbreaking of a project to expand Ridgewood Winery on Daffodil Hill Farm. (Courtesy of DESCCO Design and Construction)
