Austin A. Davis 35th Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Governor Josh Shapiro recently visited Sterman Masser Potato Farm in Schuylkill County to highlight the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program initiated by his administration. This program aims to strengthen Pennsylvania's agriculture industry through grants, loans, and technical support for adopting new technologies.
During his visit, Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of investing in agriculture to ensure Pennsylvania remains competitive. "Our farmers are the backbone of our economy here in Pennsylvania - they put food on our tables, in our stores, and in our restaurants every day," he stated. He further added that collaboration between Democrats and Republicans led to the creation of a first-in-the-nation Ag Innovation fund.
Sterman Masser, an eighth-generation family business employing over 400 people, was awarded a $200,000 grant. The funds were used to purchase a state-of-the-art potato planter aimed at improving planting efficiency and reducing fuel usage. With this new equipment, Sterman Masser plans to double its planted acres from 1,000 to 2,000.
This expansion marks the first increase in potato planting acreage in Pennsylvania in 50 years. Governor Shapiro remarked on the necessity for agricultural businesses to access capital for reinvestment into their operations as voiced during his campaign.
The event featured several speakers including Dave Masser, CEO of the Masser Family of Companies; Lela Reichart, Vice President of New Business Development at Masser Family of Companies; and Kent Heffner, President of the Schuylkill/Carbon County Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
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