Beaver County News

The state Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees held a joint hearing at the PA Farm Show to discuss the five-year impact of the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Bill. The main focus of the hearing was on agriculture education and access. Senate committee leaders, Majority Chair Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Democratic Chair Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11), along with House committee leaders, Majority Chair Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121) and Republican Chair Rep. Dan Moul (R-91), led the hearing.

Sen. Vogel expressed his satisfaction with the impact of the PA Farm Bill, stating, "Many of the grants that were instituted through this bill have allowed for farmers and agricultural organizations to expand their practices, acquire needed equipment, and better educate those involved in their day-to-day business."

Sen. Schwank emphasized the importance of continuing to support the agriculture sector and establishing Pennsylvania as a leader in innovative ways to support farmers through the 2024 Farm Bill. She said, "We now have an opportunity ahead of us to further establish Pennsylvania as a leader in innovative ways to support our hardworking farmers through the 2024 Farm Bill."

One of the key highlights of the hearing was the expansion of agriculture education. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding discussed the successes of the Farm to School grant program, which aims to increase agriculture education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students. He stated, "The program has awarded $2.5 million to 235 projects in 49 counties."

Dominique Bernardo, CEO of Variety – the Children's Charity of the Delaware Valley, highlighted how her organization has utilized funding from the Agriculture and Youth grant program and the Urban Ag Infrastructure grant program to provide educational materials and improve accessibility to their greenhouse for students.

Access to resources and equipment was another major theme of the hearing. John Kline, the owner of Klinedell Farms, shared how the PA Farm Vitality Planning grant program helped him and his wife successfully transition their farm to the next generation. Denele Hughson, the Executive Director of Grow Pittsburgh, explained how their organization has been able to invest in the community through funding from the Urban Ag Infrastructure and PA Farm Vitality grant programs.

Rep. Pashinski expressed his appreciation for the PA Farm Bill's investments in Pennsylvania's agriculture industry, saying, "From dairy farmers to urban growers, to meat processors – and everything in between – for five years our Farm Bill has helped to connect and support PA's diverse ag industries, ensuring a strong agricultural future for our commonwealth."

Rep. Moul highlighted the impact of the assistance provided by the PA Farm Bill, stating, "The impact of this assistance extends well beyond the farm, providing Pennsylvania residents access to a diversity of nutritious foods."

The hearing included testimony from various individuals and organizations, such as Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, PA Forest Products Association's Executive Director Matt Gabler, and CEOs of several agricultural organizations.

The joint committee hearing provided valuable insights into the successes and impact of the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Bill. It showcased the importance of agriculture education and access to resources and equipment for the continued growth and sustainability of Pennsylvania's agriculture industry.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.senatoreldervogel.com/2024/01/10/education-and-access-the-focus-of-joint-agriculture-and-rural-affairs-committee-hearing/