Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Governor Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County to discuss the impact of Commonwealth investments aimed at bolstering the agriculture sector. The visit highlighted the Shapiro Administration's Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, aimed at boosting Pennsylvania's agriculture industry through grants, loans, and technical assistance. These investments are intended to help farmers and businesses integrate advanced technologies, improve efficiency, and stimulate economic development.
The visit put a spotlight on Metzler Forest Products, which is utilizing $550,000 in grant funding to enhance its biochar production and expand manufacturing. The Governor's visit occurs amidst concerns about new federal tariffs, substantially affecting Pennsylvania's leading hardwoods sector, a significant component of the Commonwealth's agricultural and manufacturing economy.
Governor Shapiro has focused on bipartisan support to enhance Pennsylvania's agriculture, with a view to nurturing economic growth and innovation within the sector. He advocates for policies that relieve economic pressures on farmers and create a conducive environment for success. The state's agriculture sector hosts 50,000 farms, contributing $132 billion and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs.
Governor Shapiro stated, "From day one, my Administration has stood up for Pennsylvania's farmers and our ag sector - investing in innovation, expanding opportunity, and cutting costs. While the federal government imposes policies that hurt our economy, Pennsylvania is leading the way in driving economic growth - investing in agricultural innovation, supporting our manufacturers, and delivering real results for farmers and their families."
He also affirmed his stance on federal tariffs, saying, "Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple. They make it harder for our farmers to do business, weaken their competitiveness in key markets, and trigger retaliatory tariffs on Pennsylvania goods. The last thing Pennsylvanians need is Washington, D.C., raising taxes and driving up costs I will keep working to cut costs, lower taxes, and create more economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians."
The event witnessed participation from various stakeholders including Nate Metzler, General Manager of Metzler Forest Products, Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, Executive Director of the Keystone Wood Products Association, Nick Gilson, Founder & CEO of Gilson Snow, and Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish.
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