HARRISBURG, PA — News broke this week to an intrigued nation. POLITICO noted Pennsylvania’s particular prominence as the state with the highest percentage of farmers under 35. This achievement is the result of assiduous bipartisan efforts to entice fresh blood into an age-old profession. The state’s strategy could indeed serve as a “roadmap for the nation.”
This report comes hot on the heels of Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget. In it, the governor illustrates the pressing need for investments in food production and rural communities. He asserts that these sectors are pivotal for Pennsylvania’s future and are deserving of substantial support.
Part and parcel of the budget celebrations, the public was privy to a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, heralding a business expansion in the Philadelphia area. The venture was made possible thanks to a hefty $10 million investment from the Shapiro Administration, directed explicitly towards growing Pennsylvania’s formidable dairy sector. The revamped facility signifies a new era for the Commonwealth’s dairy industry and prompts a welcome surge in economic opportunity.
Additional initiatives from the PA Farm Bill are proving invaluable for the state’s agricultural ambitions. One project in particular, focusing on a symbiotic relationship between children and farmers, has won applause for its innovative approach. The initiative offers children across Pennsylvania a chance to access fresh, locally grown foods, allowing them to understand the importance of agriculture firsthand. The aim is to imbue the younger generation with a sense of awe and respect for nature and agriculture.
Pennsylvania lawmakers have indeed shown their unwavering commitment to agriculture over the decades. They’ve safeguarded more than 600,000 acres of farmland from commercial development since 1988, and passed a tax credit for beginning farmers. Their foresight and dedication to conservationist ideals set them apart and make the state a beacon for the nation. Furthermore, they have instituted the nation’s first state-level farm bill in 2019, setting the stage for workforce development, enhancing conservation and organic opportunities, and aiding family farms in generational succession.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, a stalwart of the field with over twenty years of service under both Republican and Democrat governors, expounded on his vision for Pennsylvania agriculture. He said, “We see an opportunity here and we’re going to invest in that and hopefully we can make a compelling case that this is an industry worth investing in.”
This commitment to nurturing agriculture has been a constant through various administrations. It was during Gov. Tom Ridge’s time in office in the late 1990s that agriculture was added to the state’s economic development initiatives. Successive administrations have then built on this initial momentum. Today, under Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, the state is poised to take a giant step forward with a proposed $10 million agriculture innovation fund.
As we witness millions of acres of American farmland primed to change hands in the next 20 years, the alarm bells for domestic food production are ringing. With over half a million farms lost since the 1980s and the average age of the American farmer hitting 58, the threat to our nation’s ability to feed itself and contribute to global food security is real. Perhaps, in the midst of this crisis, Pennsylvania’s pioneering role and bipartisan commitment to agriculture could indeed serve as a roadmap for the nation in the years to come.
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