Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Governor Josh Shapiro addressed Pennsylvania's agricultural leaders at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau State Legislative Conference in Harrisburg. The Governor highlighted his administration's achievements in supporting the state's farmers and reiterated his commitment to strengthening Pennsylvania's agriculture industry.
Gov. Shapiro emphasized agriculture's significant role in his administration's economic development strategy, noting the importance of the sector to the state's growth. He criticized recent federal tariffs and cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, expressing concerns about their detrimental effects on farmers and food banks.
"Over the last two years, I've spent a lot of time on farms across Pennsylvania, listening to our farmers and seeing firsthand the challenges they face and the incredible work they do to power our economy and put food on our tables. I kept those conversations top of mind as we developed the Commonwealth's first Economic Development Strategy in nearly 20 years - and I made sure agriculture is front and center in that plan," said Governor Shapiro.
He cited several initiatives by his administration, including the PA Farm Bill, the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, new Centers of Excellence, and an expansion of PA Preferred, as examples of investments in Pennsylvania's agriculture. Gov. Shapiro stated that these efforts aim to help farmers reduce costs, preserve farmland, and open new markets.
"My Administration has made real investments in the future of agriculture - from funding the PA Farm Bill, to launching the first-in-the-nation Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, to opening new Centers of Excellence, and expanding PA Preferred. We've delivered commonsense solutions to help farmers lower costs, preserve farmland, open new markets, address the real challenges they face, and strengthen the entire agricultural industry. Pennsylvania is leading the way in driving economic growth in our agriculture sector, and I will keep fighting for our farming families," he added.
The event also included presentations from Chris Hoffman, President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
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