Pennsylvania is setting the stage for a farming revolution, POLITICO reports. The state, leading the nation with its youth in farming, is employing bipartisan efforts to infuse the agricultural sector with fresh blood and fresh ideas. Thanks to such initiatives, Pennsylvania boasts a higher percentage of farmers under 35 than anywhere else in the country, according to a new report cited by POLITICO. Governor Josh Shapiro's administration, embracing this trend, has lobbed a hefty $10 million investment towards expanding the state's dairy industry, with a specific focus on the Philadelphia area. The recent National Ag Week festivities were marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first dairy processing facility in Pennsylvania funded by the Shapiro administration, signaling new economic opportunities on the horizon.
In addition to supporting the dairy sector, the Pennsylvania Farm Bill-funded project has also been designed to educate children about agriculture. By giving kids access to fresh, locally-grown foods and hands-on career education, the project aims to inspire the future generation and support local farmers. During the Ag Literacy Week, the administration showcased its agenda to incorporate agriculture into classroom settings, nurturing a connection between young Pennsylvanians and the land that feeds them. This effort to reach out to the youth and ground them in the art and science of farm life is seen as critical investment by the state's leaders.
Investing in agriculture has long been a priority for the state's lawmakers, a commitment that has seen more than 600,000 acres of farmland shielded from commercial development since 1988, according to a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture press release. The state's dedication has also manifested through innovative measures, like a tax credit for beginner farmers to encourage new entrants into the crucial industry. Observers point to Pennsylvania's comprehensive state-level farm bill, introduced in 2019, as evidence of a proactive approach. This bill, which includes measures for workforce development and a succession planning for family farms, could potentially serve as a model for the entire nation facing a farming crisis.
The importance of cultivating a robust domestic food production system cannot be overstated, with policymakers warning of an impending crisis for food supply if no action is taken. With over half a million American farms lost since the 1980s and the average age of farmers currently at 58, concerns are mounting over the U.S.'s future ability to feed itself. "We have a vision for Pennsylvania agriculture," Russell Redding, the state's Agriculture Secretary with over two decades of service under both Republican and Democrat governors, told POLITICO. "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."
Past administrations have laid the groundwork for today's advancements. Beginning with Republican Gov. Tom Ridge in the 1990s and continuing through Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's tenure, the definition of agriculture has expanded to envelop urban farms and integral components of the food supply chain, such as research and transportation. Under Gov. Josh Shapiro's watch, the goal is to further propel this expansion, with a proposed $10 million agriculture innovation fund signaling the state's intention to lean into the future of farming.
