HARRISBURG, PA — In an effort to spotlight the importance of agriculture and its role in Pennsylvania’s economy, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) convened a high-profile panel at the 108th PA Farm Show on Tuesday. The panel included Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, State Representative Barb Gleim, and Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.
The event focused on the PFB’s mission to educate consumers about agriculture, its commitment to collaborating with state and federal legislators, and discussions around the 2024 Farm Bill, among other pivotal topics.
Chris Hoffman, President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, outlined the organization’s key objectives and ongoing initiatives. “One of our primary goals is to educate the public about agriculture,” Hoffman said. “We aim to work closely with legislators and industry partners to secure the future of agriculture. Our farmers, ranchers, and foresters play a crucial role in helping Pennsylvania prosper.”
State Representative Barb Gleim, herself a farmer, emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders in the agricultural industry. She highlighted that Pennsylvania boasts a large and diverse agricultural industry and underscored the challenges that many within this sector face. “Better collaboration will result in better products,” Gleim asserted.
Adam Ortiz, the EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, applauded farmers for their role as frontline environmentalists. He advocated for strong partnerships to balance a thriving agricultural economy with a clean environment. “When we work together, we can have a thriving agriculture economy and clean environment,” Ortiz said.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding closed the press conference by emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between consumers and the agricultural community. “It takes time to advocate for Pennsylvania agriculture, that’s what this week is about,” Redding said. “It is about promoting our industry of agriculture.”
The sentiment echoed throughout the press conference was unanimous: advancing agriculture at the state and federal level requires a collective effort. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau sees a bright future for agriculture, thanks to the collaboration of partners, legislators, consumers, and, most importantly, the farmers themselves.
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