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A Great Week at the PA Farm Show!
It was a great week at the PA Farm Show celebrating Pennsylvania agriculture and why it remains the Commonwealth’s number one industry. The Farm Show is truly a celebration of the hard work and dedication of the men and women who put food on our tables every day. It was wonderful to see so many attendees experience firsthand what an incredible industry agriculture is, while celebrating our abundance and learning where our food comes from and how it is processed.
I had a great conversation with Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at the Farm Show about the significance of this annual event and the impact of agriculture across the Commonwealth. This year’s theme, “Growing a Nation,” reminds us of the critical role agriculture has played in building our country and helps us better understand where we come from and why this industry remains so important today.
Watch my interview with Secretary Redding here.
I also enjoyed catching up with Garrett Kaltenbach. I had the opportunity to talk with Garrett about Grand Canyon FFA’s tractor restoration project, which included bodywork, mechanical repairs, engine teardown, sandblasting and painting. This 1948 Ford 8N looks shiny and new thanks to the hard work by Garrett (FFA chapter president), Jordan Pierce (FFA chapter vice president) and their team. He shared that their biggest obstacle was working in an unheated shop. He is hoping to do more projects like this but looking for a heated shop. Congratulations to the whole team on the lessons learned and all the hard work!
You can learn about the project here.
And the Farm Show would not be complete without the annual Celebrity Feed Scurry! With the help of my “mucker,” Tioga County Commissioner Sam VanLoon, we took second place for the second year in a row!
More importantly, we helped support the Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Foundation, whose mission is to facilitate, stimulate and support education programs, incentives and events at the PA Farm Show. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for sponsoring my participation.’
Watch the scurry highlights here.
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Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Signed into Law
I am grateful for Congressman Glenn Thompson’s work to get the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law and thank President Donald Trump for recognizing the importance of getting this legislation signed. With this new law, whole and 2% milk options can [PH1.1]once again be offered in school cafeterias, giving students the opportunity to choose the milk they enjoy.
In my conversations with PA Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding last week at the Farm Show, we discussed the significance of this bill and how the department and our local dairy princesses can once again engage with schools on the importance of milk for our students’ health and the vital role dairy plays in supporting local farmers.
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| (Photo Credit to Congressman Glenn Thompson’s Facebook Page) |
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93 Years Young and a Legacy of Hard Work
It was truly an honor to recognize Leda Starkweather for more than 45 years of dedicated service at Truck-Lite Company. Leda is a delightful lady, 93 years young, whose life has been defined by hard work, humility and dedication.
Born and raised on a farm and later marrying a farmer, Leda spent nearly 80 years working on the farm while also holding jobs at Galeton Production and Truck-Lite. She never missed a single day of work and was always willing to do whatever was asked of her. At one point, she even worked 23 days straight without a day off because she was needed.
Throughout her remarkable career, Leda worked under eight different plant managers and earned the respect and admiration of everyone around her. Over her course of more than four decades, she cut more than 20,000 miles of wire. Everyone who worked with Leda loved her did not want to see her retire. For her 90th birthday, Truck-Lite honored her with a beautiful red jacket bearing the Truck-Lite name.
While co-workers wished she could stay, Leda knew it was time. When asked what she enjoyed most about retirement, she simply said, “I can do what I want to do whenever I want to do it.” She is also looking forward to spending time in her flower gardens this spring.
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Get off the Bench and Into the Game!
The time is NOW to stand up and Defend our Daughters. When you sign the promise, you are joining Pennsylvanians from all corners of our Commonwealth in protecting and promoting a fair playing field for all our female athletes.
Join us in protecting women’s sports; sign the promise at defendingdaughters.com.
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Supporting Student Success
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has announced the 2026 Ag and Youth Grant Program awardees. Wellsboro Area School District will receive $7,500 to purchase lab science supplies, supporting hands-on learning and student success in agricultural education. This program, created through the PA Farm Bill, invests in youth leadership and workforce development across the state.
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Tioga County Secures Nearly $1.7 Million for Recreation Projects
Nearly $1.7 million in state funding has been awarded to enhance recreation projects across Tioga County through the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program. The largest grant, $1.2 million, will support major renovations at the Wellsboro Community Pool, while additional funds will go toward improvements at Island Park in Blossburg, a master plan for Elkland’s Community Park, and a feasibility study for Mansfield’s pool. These investments aim to improve local parks and facilities, creating safe, modern spaces for residents to enjoy.
You can read the full press release here.
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Make Your Voice Heard on Early Firearms Deer Season
Pennsylvania's opening day of deer season is a tradition deeply rooted in our hunting heritage, families, and rural communities.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is considering a change to the start of firearms deer season - either opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving or keeping the current opening on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
This decision matters, and the Game Commission needs to hear from you. I encourage hunters and residents to contact the Board of Commissioners and share your thoughts on this proposed change.
The commission is meeting on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24. Learn more about the meeting and where to watch here.
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January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: We’re Fighting Back
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the top states in reported trafficking cases.
To help fight this horrific crime, I recently joined fellow legislators in supporting House Bill 1286, which would establish training requirements for employees of public lodging establishments who have contact with guests or access to guest rooms, and for operators of short-term rentals. Ensuring people who may have the opportunity to intervene on behalf of a victim know what to look for can help save lives. This bill is now awaiting consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
I have also hosted events locally to help raise awareness about human trafficking and educate residents about the signs to look out for to protect potential victims, especially our children, from harm. Video of those events is available here.
People of all ages and demographics can become victims of human trafficking. Children are especially vulnerable to traffickers reaching them through various online platforms. If you are a victim of human trafficking in need of help, or you suspect someone else is a victim:
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Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
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Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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Text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733) to reach the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.
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Click here to learn more.
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2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Now Open
The application period for the state’s 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is now open for eligible Pennsylvanians to begin claiming rebates on property taxes or rent paid last year.
Income limits increased again this year to $48,110 for both homeowners and renters. This is due to a 2023 law I supported that calls for adjusting the income limit based on annual increases in the Consumer Price Index. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The maximum rebate is $1,000.
The program is open to residents aged 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older.
Remember – you do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates. Apply online at mypath.pa.gov or contact my office for help. Additional information about the program is available here.
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Need Tax Help?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, provided by the United Way of Bradford County, is now accepting appointments for the upcoming tax season. The service is being offered at multiple locations across the county, including at my office in Troy.
The VITA program provides free tax help to individuals and families with a household income of $72,000 or less, veterans, people with disabilities, individuals over the age of 50, Native Americans or individuals who speak limited English. Please note that you only need to meet one of the requirements to qualify.
Appointments are required and may be made by calling 1-866-839-0442 or clicking here.
My office at 121 Canton St. in Troy will be offering assistance on Wednesdays from Feb. 1 through April 1.
In addition, services are also available at the following locations:
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Sayre: The Enterprise Center and Representative Tina Pickett's office.
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Towanda: Area Agency on Aging, Lackawanna College and United Way of Bradford County.
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Additionally, their drop-off is available at the United Way Headquarters in Sayre at the Enterprise Center during limited hours. Drop-offs, like other appointments, require an appointment and need a pick-up appointment scheduled two weeks after the drop off.
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