ASPERS, PA — The Shapiro Administration honored three frontline agricultural workers Thursday, spotlighting the people who power Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture sector and keep the state’s food supply stable. The ceremony, held at Adams County Nursery in Aspers, recognized workers whose skill, endurance, and leadership have become essential to one of the Commonwealth’s most economically significant industries.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined leaders from the Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations to name Wilson Garcia Deras, Jose Maderas, and Jose “Ponce” Cruz as Pennsylvania’s 2025 Farmworkers of the Year. The honorees represent the nearly 600,000 workers behind farming, food processing, and livestock operations across the state.
Redding said the three awardees exemplify the talent and discipline required to sustain the food supply chain. He said the administration recognizes “the tremendous contributions agriculture workers, whether they are citizens or guest workers, make to our communities, our economy and to every single one of our daily lives.”
The workers were selected for their initiative, their commitment to safety and quality, and their positive influence on coworkers and employers. Garcia Deras, an orchard laborer at Adams County Nursery, has become a respected leader among seasonal and full-time employees. Maderas, a harvest supervisor at Leidy’s Premium Meats, is credited with improving ergonomic practices and boosting staff morale. Cruz, a four-decade veteran at Bonnie Brae Fruit Farms, is known for his deep expertise in orchard operations and his role in mentoring new workers.
The awards arrive as Governor Josh Shapiro’s newly signed 2025–26 state budget expands workforce development initiatives tied directly to agriculture. The budget increases funding for apprenticeships, vo-tech programs, and hands-on training, continuing efforts to address ongoing labor shortages across the industry. It also includes long-term investments in agricultural innovation, conservation, and disease response, along with an $11 million boost for food security programs that support both farmers and families.
Walker said the administration remains focused on ensuring agricultural workers have fair opportunities and safe workplaces. She said their dedication “strengthens not only their workplaces but the communities they call home,” emphasizing new apprenticeship programs and training pathways created in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.
Employers praised this year’s recipients for their consistency, workmanship, and leadership. At Leidy’s Premium Meats, Human Resources Director Phil McClay said Maderas personifies the company’s values and improves operations by identifying efficiencies. Bonnie Brae’s Sarah Zost highlighted Cruz’s willingness to both teach and advocate for fellow workers. Adams County Nursery’s Mikel Grimm called Garcia Deras an employee whose reliability and leadership have made him indispensable.
With the holiday season approaching and hiring demands rising across the state, the awards serve as a high-profile reminder of the workforce sustaining Pennsylvania’s food system — a workforce the Shapiro Administration is pledging to develop, support, and expand.
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