Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is hard at work ensuring that agriculture priorities are considered as state leaders finalize the 2017-18 budget. But we need help from members too. Lawmakers respond most to their constituents so it’s important that members contact their state representatives and senators to discuss priorities for farms. Farm Bureau is concerned about proposed cuts to the Department of Agriculture staff. According to Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, “these cuts would effectively render the department incapable of administering programs that help create new markets for producers, such as PA Preferred, international trade, and the Specialty Crop Block Grant program; that safeguard land from development through Pennsylvania’s nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program; that ensure the industry’s long-term viability; and that provide basic nutrition to the state’s most vulnerable citizens… The department would also have to consider eliminating food inspectors who ensure restaurants and food and milk processing and manufacturing facilities.”

From Farm Bureau Express, Penna Farm Bureau, May 17, 2017.