In early February, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a $24 million funding proposal designed to boost the agriculture industry in Pennsylvania. The move was applauded by both sides of the aisle, as it signaled the governor’s commitment to giving Pennsylvania farmers some assistance at a time when certain areas of the industry are in trouble.
Wolf’s Pennsylvania Farm Bill would establish a $2 million Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center that would work as a resource for farmers to create business, transition, or succession plans for their farms. The bill also proposes $5 million for the Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program to fund research and development, assistance in transitioning to organic products, and aid in processing and marketing.