Agriculture is a huge component of Pennsylvania’s economy, but in some ways, the impressive numbers (like the fact that it’s a $132.5 billion industry that creates 593,000 jobs each year) can obscure the reality of how farming touches each and every one of our lives. From the 53,000 farms supporting hardworking families to the produce we count on finding on grocery store shelves and farmers market stalls, we are all linked through agriculture, from the soil to our dinner tables.
To highlight and celebrate our local agriculture and food manufacturing industries, Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Carol Kilko kicked off the Food that Fuels Pennsylvania tour on Wednesday, October 13 at Knouse Foods in Peach Glen, PA. Knouse is a grower-owned fruit cooperative comprised of more than 100 family farms, and it is one of the largest processors and innovators of apple products in North America.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding talks with Knouse Foods laboratory technicians Samantha Valdez, left, and Becky Canard, center
“Food fuels Pennsylvania. And food is powered by innovative farmers and food processors who have been and always will be essential,” said Secretary Redding. “From jobs, to the economy, and our families at home, food fuels us all. It is a commonality that brings everyone to the table all thanks to farmers and food manufacturers who feed the commonwealth and the world.”
Over the past five years, PA’s Governor Tom Wolf has invested more than $50 million in grants, loans and tax credits to help farmers expand their operations, upgrade their equipment, install conservation practices and preserve their farms. In 2018, he also commissioned the first all-inclusive economic impact report for Pennsylvania agriculture, through Team Pennsylvania, which he used to write a six-point plan for Pennsylvania agriculture that led to the proposal and funding of the first-ever Pennsylvania Farm Bill in 2019. The historic package of legislation has since invested $37.2 million into Pennsylvania agriculture, with a commitment to invest another $13.6 million by June 2022.
Apples to be sorted at Knouse Foods
More than $253 million has been earmarked to the state’s nation-leading farmland preservation program, and combined with investments from counties, this funding has preserved nearly 100,000 acres over the course of the Wolf Administration.
“Pennsylvania is renowned for both its agriculture and food manufacturing industries and the Wolf Administration has remained committed to supporting the growth of these sectors — recognizing the major contributions they offer to the commonwealth,” said DCED Deputy Secretary Kilko. “These are businesses providing meals and snacks we share with our families and loved ones, and their success is critical to their ability to continue to provide communities with trusted products and bring new jobs and opportunities to regions throughout the state.”
Food that Fuels Pennsylvania is a statewide tour that will continue to draw attention to the many facets of the agriculture and food manufacturing industries, and the people who power those sectors to help feed the commonwealth and the world, as well as addressing issues like the agricultural workforce shortage. The Wolf Administration partnered with Team Pennsylvania on the 2021 Economic Impact of Agriculture in Pennsylvania report defines the commonwealth’s unique agricultural landscape, quantified economics and workforce impacts.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, center, taste tests fruit with representatives Dan Moul, left, and Eddie Day Pashinski
“Team Pennsylvania is proud of our partnership with the PA Department of Agriculture and the Wolf Administration to advance state-level agricultural economic and workforce development initiatives,” said Team Pennsylvania Director of Agriculture Policy Programs Kelly Kundratic.
“Our role in elevating the economic and workforce contributions of Pennsylvania’s essential food and farm businesses to state, regional and local decision-makers has come into even sharper focus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed a clear case for addressing our food systems’ economic and workforce needs regionally with state support. We look forward to the continued partnership in advancing this mission.”
Keep an eye out for more stops on the Food that Fuels Pennsylvania tour on the PA Dept. of Agriculture website. Maybe one will come to your community soon!
- Photos: PA Dept. of Agriculture
