The Shapiro administration revealed a plan on Friday that will support farmers and ag producers and ensure one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries remains profitable and globally competitive.
The 10-year Strategic Plan for Agriculture outlines the steps necessary to address and improve four critical industry needs. The plan is the result of collaboration and community engagement and includes five strategic priorities. The plan will align education, innovation, and workplace supports that make agriculture a career of choice; strengthen competitiveness through innovation, technology, and infrastructure that improves efficiency, profitability and adaptability to change; connecting producers and consumers, building regional supply chains, and elevating the agriculture brand; creative access, stewardship, and strategic land use planning; and make the agricultural support network more accessible, coordinated, and customer-focused to ensure every farmer, producer and business can access resources for success.
“We’re investing in our farmers and our ag industry, addressing the unique challenges our farmers face, and growing and expanding this sector faster than ever before — but I know that farmers continue to face real challenges like federal trade policies, high costs, and a lack of reliable, high-speed internet,” Shapiro said.
Following the announcement, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding began working with the Office of Transformation and Opportunity to develop the strategic plan.