Juniata County Profile Juniata County, originally part of Mifflin County, became a separate county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 2, 1831. The county is named for the river that runs through it. Juniata, meaning standing stone, originated from an Iroquois Indian source.

Juniata County has an area of 387 square miles. Approximately half of the county's land is forested. One State Park, the Karl B. Guss Memorial Park, is located in the county. Areas for hiking and picnicking are located in this park as well as at other points throughout the 7,000 acres of State Forest Lands in the County. Hunting and fishing are two of the main outdoor activities to be enjoyed the forested areas of Juniata County. Hunters pursue White tailed deer and a wide variety of small game, while fishermen can take advantage of the Juniata River or the many trout streams that eventually feed into the river.

Juniata County is a primarily rural county with a local economy based upon manufacturing enterprises and agricultural production. Agricultural production consists of dairy, poultry, swine, fruit and vegetable, as well as a strong forest products industry. The total annual farm production is valued at $66 million.

The largest employer in Juniata County is Empire Kosher Incorporated, a vertically integrated company operating the worlds largest kosher poultry processing plant. Chickens and turkeys grown within a 1-hour's drive from the plant are processed under strict kosher rules, then shipped for worldwide distribution. Other primary industries located in Juniata County are wood products manufacturing and trucking companies.

Juniata County's population is 22,000 and growing at rate of slightly less than 1% annually. Access to SR322 allows an increasing number of county residents to be employed in the Harrisburg and State College areas.

The county seat is in Mifflintown. The Penn State Cooperative Extension Office in Juniata County is also located in Mifflintown on the lower level of the Juniata Courthouse Annex.

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Penn State | College of Agricultural Sciences | Cooperative Extension & Outreach

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This page last updated Monday, August 20, 2007 22:44

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