Produce Q&A Panel With State Departments of Agriculture

 

Ahead of IFPA’s 2022 Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, FL, Food Trade News reached out to the state departments of agriculture in our region to ask about some of the issues facing the produce industry in their states. Our panelists: Michael T. Scuse, Delaware secretary of agriculture; Matt Lohr, Virginia secretary of agriculture; Joseph Bartenfelder, Maryland secretary of agriculture; Bryan P. Hurlburt, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture; Douglas H. Fisher, New Jersey secretary of agriculture; Richard Ball, commissioner of the New York Department of Agriculture; and Russell Redding, Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture.

Our questions:

1. What are the top three agriculture issues that your state faces right now and what is your department doing in response?
2. What is the current condition of the family farm in your state? How has the current labor shortage affected them?
3. What type of consumer marketing programs does your department offer to help increase trial and purchase of your state’s agricultural products?
4. How does the growth of vertical farming work within your state’s agricultural guidelines?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael T. Scuse

Delaware Secretary of Agriculture

 

 

1. Our top issue by far is development. Keeping Delaware farms in production and preserving our farmland is a priority of our agency, Governor Carney, and the General Assembly. This year, the Aglands Preservation was funded at a record level of $20 million to help preserve Delaware farms from the ground up. With this past round’s average discount rate of 44%, there is no better time for farmers to consider preserving their land. To be eligible to submit a bid in this upcoming round, landowners must enroll in a Preservation District by October 31, 2022. Our staff has been meeting with farmers in our office, holding joint workshops with Delaware Cooperative Extension and Delaware Farm Bureau, and reaching out to our farmers who may not have considered Aglands Preservation in the past.

With poultry playing a significant role in our economy, avian influenza is right up there on the list of importance in our industry. After experiencing highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in February and March, we have evaluated what worked and what didn’t and what needs to be changed so that we are prepared to mount a response this Fall and Winter if we get cases here on Delmarva. Again, our team has been working on outreach to producers and backyard flock owners to ensure everyone practices the best biosecurity to protect their flocks.

Lastly, the increased cost of production is taking its toll on Delaware’s farm families and the industry. We have had meetings with our congressional delegation to make them aware of our producers’ concerns and issues.

 

2. Ninety-eight percent of our farms in Delaware are family farms. Our Aglands Preservation program helps to ensure farmland stays in the family for generations. On the other hand, our Young Farmers Loan Program helps lower barriers to young people wanting to start farming. The program provides long-term, no-interest loans to help eligible farmers purchase land, reducing the financial impact on farmers just starting or looking to expand.

Like most other states, we have issues with labor across the whole agriculture sector, from fruit and vegetable production to the poultry industry. There continues to be a need for workers. We need Congress to do a better job addressing the H-2A Program.

 

3. Delaware Grown is our state’s agricultural brand developed by our communications and marketing team in 2017 to help consumers better connect with our producers. Through package labeling, signage at retail locations, and promotions in partnership with retail locations, farmers’ markets, and statewide events, our team works to increase the purchase of Delaware Grown products. In conjunction, we have a consumer-based website, www.DelawareGrown.com, where residents and visitors can find farmers’ markets, farm stands, U-Pick operations, and more using an interactive map. In addition, many people want to know how to store, prepare, and cook the fruits and vegetables they purchase once they get them home. With our searchable recipe database of Delaware Grown recipes, the consumer can easily find a tasty recipe that is easy to prepare and that the whole family will enjoy. We do a lot of outreach during the Delaware State Fair with Delaware Grown because we can engage with many residents and visitors. Our annual Delaware Grown calendar featuring photographs of local produce and recipes is always a hit. In fact, over the past two years, we distributed nearly 2,200 calendars each year during the fair, but this year we were constantly replenishing, trying to keep up with the demand. We wound up giving out more than 7,500 calendars. Fairgoers can also pick up individual recipe cards and watch cooking demonstrations in the Delaware Grown kitchen.

We have two exciting initiatives that our team is currently working on to increase the purchase of local produce. First, we are conducting a pilot program involving placing Delaware Grown branding to announce the availability to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables in a deli case in corner stores and convenience stores, aiming to increase access to nutritious food. The last initiative will be released in the Spring of 2023 to help visitors to our state engage with our agriculture industry and get a taste of Delaware Grown…stay tuned!

 

4. Vertical farming is permitted and encouraged in the state of Delaware. We see a lot of potential for its use, especially in our urban areas.

 

 

Matt Lohr

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture

 

 

1. Given the importance of agriculture and forestry to the foundation of the Commonwealth’s economy, it is imperative that we support the continued development of these industries as a growth engine and source of jobs throughout rural Virginia. The key areas we are focusing on are promoting our rural and economic development, forest and farmland retention and food security.

Promoting Rural and Economic Development by helping existing businesses grow while growing our existing businesses and attracting new investment through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) market development programs. Developing export opportunities for Virginia agriculture and forest products via our established network of trade offices around the globe, expert staff to offer marketing and regulatory assistance, and strategic trade missions to key markets. Expanding broadband access, especially in rural communities, as farmers and agribusinesses depend on fast, reliable internet to conduct business in the 21st century global market and to make use of new agronomic tools, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and precision agriculture technology.

Assisting economic development in areas such as agritourism, craft beverages, and aquaculture to support growth.

Virginia is home to over 23 million acres of farm and forestland, and we are proud to support the preservation of these natural resources. A data-driven approach to identify the highest priority lands for conservation, including working farmland and forestland, and we are excited to play a part in this important goal. We want to ensure that landowners continue to have a large toolbox and many options at their disposal for land conservation.

As the next generation seeks to return to family businesses, one of the greatest challenges facing private landowners is intergenerational transfer. We are committed to providing transition and business planning resources, such as the successful Generation NEXT program, to farmers and forest landowners to ensure economic viability and the successful transfer from the current generation to the next one.

Aside from being an important economic engine, the Chesapeake Bay is one of the world’s greatest natural treasures, and agriculture and forestry have an important role to play in its health. Through the dedication of landowners and other partners, such as local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, these industries have already made major strides in meeting our goals, but our work is ongoing. Through our healthy watershed program, we are working to secure private sector investment to reduce runoff and improve the overall wellbeing of the entire Bay watershed. And we are working closely with the Secretariat of Natural Resources and our stakeholders in the agriculture and forestry industries to educate landowners about new cost sharing measures.

To grow, learn, and succeed, it is critical for Virginians to have access to nutritious, safe, affordable foods. During the past year, 10 percent of Virginia households were food insecure at least some time, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Our goal is to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

As we focus on agriculture as a vehicle for addressing food insecurity, there is a need for new, innovative strategies to grow community food access. Expanding market opportunities for farmers through farmers’ markets, farm to school programs, and urban agriculture directly correlate to higher levels of food access in communities. In addition, we are working to build partnerships with community food access organizations to expand access and participation in federal nutrition assistance programs, and seek solutions to food insecurity through local agriculture initiatives. Using a cross-secretariat approach, we will collaborate on efforts to expand access to healthy foods and meals through school nutrition and summer feeding programs. Additionally, we are focusing on addressing food deserts through healthy food retail, farmers’ markets, corner stores, mobile markets, and other initiatives.

 

2. These is a long-term trend of aging in the U.S. farm producer population, and Virginia farm producers are not immune from this trend. According to USDA data, the average age of Virginia farmers in 2012 was 56.3. In 2017, the average age of Virginia farmers was 57.5. This is why FFA, 4-H and Farm-to-School programs are important in helping to encourage the next generation of producers. This also highlights the importance of providing transition and business planning resources, such as the successful Generation NEXT program I mentioned earlier. These resources help to ensure the economic viability and the successful transfer of farmland to the next generation.

Labor availability is an increasingly important issue for Virginia agricultural producers considering the recent tightening of farm labor markets. A decline in labor availability is especially challenging for producers of labor-intensive crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, grapes and other produce, and other crops such as tobacco and nursery production. Labor availability is also challenging for other agricultural sectors such as aquaculture and the meat and dairy industries. In addition, hired farmworkers are found in a variety of agricultural occupations, including livestock workers, graders and sorters, agricultural inspectors, supervisors, hired farm managers, and even truck drivers to transport goods to various markets. While immigrant worker visa programs provide a temporary solution by supplying seasonal foreign workers, they do not meet the needs of non-seasonal agricultural industries.

 

3. In March of this year, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a rebrand of the Virginia Grown program during the 2022 Virginia Food and Beverage Expo. VDACS administers the Virginia Grown and Virginia’s Finest Program, which are designed to market Virginia’s agricultural products to consumers and retailers. Given the current state of our nation’s economy and ongoing supply chain issues, it is imperative that Virginia supports our own. These focused and improved marketing programs are tools we can use to help Virginia farmers and agribusinesses succeed, both domestically and abroad.

A significant element of the program rebrand is the new tiered levels of program participation. The colors bronze, silver, and gold will be used within the new Virginia Grown logo to acknowledge enhanced levels of production practices and environmental sustainability efforts that producers employ. Another component of the rebranding is the redesign of the www.VirginiaGrown.com. The updated website includes a new interactive platform to improve consumer engagement and connect a diverse community of food-related businesses: buyers, farmers/ranchers, fisheries, farmers markets, processors/packers, wineries, restaurants, and more. The new platform also provides Virginia producers the ability to highlight, update, and position their products to consumers, processors, and industry buyers. Buyers can register their businesses on VirginiaGrown.com to better connect with food producers who are seeking to grow, source, or sell just what the buyer needs.

The Virginia Grown domestic marketing program was developed in 1995 to promote items grown or raised in the Commonwealth. Since then, the marketing program has grown to provide additional assistance to farmers, farmers markets, growers, and producers throughout Virginia.

The Virginia’s Finest program started in 1989 as a tool to enhance the economic opportunities and successes of Virginia’s specialty food companies, processors, and agricultural producers. The iconic VA checkmark within the logo is well-known by consumers and buyers as an indicator that they are purchasing top-quality Virginia-produced and processed products. This checkmark is prevalent in the refreshed Virginia’s Finest logo and is also a major component within the new Virginia Grown logo.

 

4. Virginia is quickly becoming the destination of choice for companies in innovation-driven industries like controlled environment agriculture (CEA) to locate and expand. We highlighted this aspect of Virginia agriculture during in September during CEA Week. The week started with AeroFarms opening the largest aeroponic smart farm in the world in Danville, VA. The following day, we cut the ribbon on Beanstalk Farms new indoor farm and distribution facility in Herndon, VA. The week concluded with an announcement that Plenty Unlimited Inc. will soon break ground in Chester, VA, to build the largest campus for vertical farming in the world. These highlight Virginia’s embrace of next-gen agriculture.

CEAs represent a diverse group of indoor agricultural production methods that utilize a variety of new technologies. Hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics, to name a few, combine engineering, plant science and computer managed greenhouse control systems to grow a variety of specialty crops and vegetables. Operating indoors under optimal growing conditions, CEAs provide a sustainable food source for a growing population, in both rural and urban settings.

Technological advancement is what drives the industry of agriculture forward, so I am thrilled Virginia is playing a leading role in the indoor farming revolution that is changing, for the better, where much of our food is coming from.

 

 

Joseph Bartenfelder

Maryland Secretary of Agriculture

 

 

1. Resource Conservation: Meeting Maryland’s agricultural water quality goals is always a priority, MDA has been busy filling 53 new positions across the state that will provide technical assistance to the soil conservation districts and verification staff. In addition, MDA is expanding on its traditional water quality programs to provide technical and financial support for the Small and Urban Farms Program as well as the Soil Health Program. This fall, MDA announced the Cover Crop Plus Program that provides incentives to farmers to commit specific fields into a cover crop for 3 continuous years. Just last week, the Governor announced the Small Acreage Cover Crop Program to Support Urban Agriculture. MDA plans to expand on both these new initiatives over the next year. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): HPAI is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses. Wild birds can carry and spread HPAI, but may show no signs of illness. However, HPAI can spread very quickly and kill domestic poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese). MDA is continually educating and sending outreach to commercial and backyard flock owners, including letters, sharing posters in farm supply and feed stores and pushing out guidance on MDA social media channels. MDA works with state, regional and federal partners when responding to multiple cases of HPAI. We also work closely with the broiler industry. Any Marylander suspecting a sick bird should contact MDA Animal Health at [email protected]. Spotted Lanternfly (SLF): SLF poses a major threat to the region’s agricultural industries as it feeds on over 70 different types of crops and plants, including grapes, hops, apples, peaches, oak, pine, and many others.

It was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since been confirmed in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. It was discovered in Maryland in 2018, in Cecil County. It has spread to Harford County, and smaller populations have also been found in Baltimore City, and Allegany, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico, and Washington counties. MDA’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program continues to work with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program, University of Maryland Extension, and others to monitor for the insect in Maryland, including survey, outreach and treatment work. Think you have found spotted lanternfly in Maryland? Report it online at https://survey123.arcgis.com/.

 

2. It is a mixed bag. Not every farm is the same. Each commodity faces its own challenges. Input costs are up for everyone, though. Higher fuel and fertilizer costs are reducing the amount made on the bottom line and we have had a lot of higher fuel and fertilizer costs this past year. But, farmers are optimists and we always seem to manage well enough to be profitable. How has the current labor shortage affected them? Labor is always an issue in Maryland. We compete with states nationwide for workers. And farms compete with the housing industry, restaurants and landscapers for workers, as well. Longterm, mechanization … robots and other advanced technology is needed in agriculture. I have been a lifelong produce grower. It is just getting harder and harder to get workers willing to sweat from sunup to sundown to harvest crops. But the demand for those crops never goes away, so we, as an industry, will work to find ways to keep up with that demand.

 

3. MDA’s Marketing Section runs the Maryland’s Best Buy Local campaign year round. Our staff have advertisements on radio, tv, billboards, magazines and online encouraging Marylanders to buy Maryland agriculture and seafood products. All of the research our Marketing team does shows a strong preference for Maryland-grown produce and other ag products within our borders. We want to push to take advantage of that program. Readers of your magazine should be encouraged to reach out to MDA to work with our marketing team. They will help you find local sources and they will help you promote it. Also, remember that on January 10, 2023, we will have our annual Maryland’s Best Expo. (Email [email protected] for details.)

 

4. Vertical farming has great potential in Maryland. We will work to support it. There are no obstacles under our ag guidelines.

 

 

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Agriculture

 

 

1. Climate change, farmland access, and labor lead the challenges faced by agricultural producers in Connecticut. The impacts of climate change are widespread, resulting in unpredictable weather patterns from drought to excessive rainfall and flooding. This has increased disease and pest pressure on crops while reducing yields. The agency has been a pivotal partner in the Governor’s Council on Climate Change to aggregate input and put forth recommendations on a sustainable path forward. The agency is leading the Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Working Group, which will identify high priority needs in order to meet our aggressive climate change goals.

As part of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3), the recommendations include reducing the conversion of prime and important farmland soils and accelerating farmland acquisition programs, strengthen land use planning tools for agriculture with municipalities, and improve soil health practices through technical assistance and training.

During the 2022 legislative session, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture received an additional $14 million in funding for Climate Smart Ag Initiatives, one of the largest investments the state has seen into the agency and recognizes the importance of helping farmers transition practices. This investment, in addition to Governor Lamont issuing Executive Order 21-3 directing state agencies to prioritize climate conscious decisions, will push Connecticut forward in meeting its climate change goals. With this funding, Connecticut’s agricultural producers will be able to receive technical assistance, purchase equipment, work collaboratively on large scale projects, and will be able to seek market off-set payments for the implementation of climate-smart practices.

In addition, the agencies Farmland Preservation Program, one of the oldest in the country, reached a significant milestone earlier in 2022 with the permanent protection of the 400th farm. To date more than 47,000 acres of prime and important farmland soils have been protected for future generations, ensuring a food and fiber producing land resource base for long-term availability of local, fresh farm products. Through strengthened partnerships with federal and local entities, the agency has been able to leverage non-state funding maintaining a high cost-share amount. These partnerships, particularly with Connecticut Farmland Trust, to maintain and promote the Connecticut FarmLink program to facilitate the transition between landowners with the goal of keeping farmland in production and a new generation of farmers seeking land to work has helped bolster awareness of resources available including information on grants/financing, buying and leasing land, evaluation of land resources and resource providers.

Agricultural labor issues remain a challenge on multiple fronts. First and foremost, we are currently experiencing an unprecedented U.S. labor market where the number of job openings surpasses the number of job seekers. This combined with rising wages and a shortage of workers with the skillset necessary for today’s evolving agricultural operations which demand advanced engineering and computer knowledge has led to shortages on many operations. We are working with our state and federal delegations to showcase the advanced technical nature of controlled environment agriculture to build a more resilient workforce and explore opportunities to offer the necessary training through our land grant university.

 

2. Family farms in Connecticut are having to find new and innovative ways to survive in today’s agricultural economy. With each new generation, we are seeing the farm dynamics grow and adapt to the changing technologies and industry needs, this may look like a diversification of products, moving to an online platform, or implementing new sustainable practices to ensure the long-term survival of the farm. Again, our Climate Smart Ag program will allow for us to help family farms with a transition to incorporate technology into their operations.

 

3. In 2020, the agency invested more than $400,000 to rebrand the CT Grown logo and reestablish a marketing campaign. In the development of this refreshed branding, DoAg surveyed more than 1,700 consumers, providers and wholesale partners who shared the elements they wanted to honor in the brand legacy and the elements they wanted to introduce to refresh the perspective of this $4 billion business sector. DoAg opted to keep CT Grown’s long standing and symbolic green and blue colors and is honoring the producer’s pride by enlarging the word Connecticut and clearly outlining the shape of the state.

Within the logo design, DoAg recognizes the impact of aquaculture and agriculture with symbols of both coast and country. By simplifying these elements, the CT Grown brand becomes more inclusive and improves readability — especially valuable for outdoor signage and packaging applications. At the center of the design, with the “o” on the horizon, like the sun, is the word GROWN, the heart of the brand.

Finally, the tested tagline — “A way of life.” This two-sided signature mark, not only honors the producers that nurture the environment to provide for their communities, it also encourages consumers to make the selection, endorsement, engagement and loyalty to Connecticut Grown products not just a seasonal opportunity, but… a way of life.

DoAg utilized the new branding to execute a comprehensive marketing campaign surrounding the CT Grown program. These efforts included the promotion of all Connecticut-based products – from fruits and vegetables to seafood and wine, maple syrup and honey, dairy and fiber.

Among the goals for the refreshed branding and marketing campaign were to connect with new audiences, particularly those who had not yet recognized the value of buying local agriculture and aquaculture products and to highlight the importance of supporting these industries. Additionally, this investment provided Connecticut farmers with tools to engage in the campaign and promote the CT Grown brand as well as Connecticut agriculture and aquaculture.

The new logo and branding was released in March 2021 followed by a nine-month marketing campaign which garnered more than 112 million impressions utilizing traditional, digital, and social media during phase 1 of the marketing campaign.

Phase 2 is currently underway and will continue through 2023 to build upon the work of phase 1 with an increased focus on sales conversion while continuing to educate new audiences and potential consumers on the value and importance of Connecticut’s agriculture and aquaculture as an economic engine for the state and healthy lifestyle choice for residents.

 

4. Connecticut has historically embraced new, innovative forms of agriculture, ranging from aquaculture in Long Island Sound to urban agriculture throughout areas like Bridgeport and New Haven. The growth of vertical farming allows aquaculture producers to cultivate items like kelp using long lines and allows our urban agriculture producers to significantly increase their crop yields within limited spaces. The Department has prioritized investments through our grant programs to support indoor production. Adopting and implementing the newest growing practices enhance the resilience of our food systems, makes more food available in food deserts, and creates jobs in the ag economy.

 

 

Douglas H. Fisher

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture

 

 

1. The cost of doing business, just like in every other sector, has increased on levels not seen for decades and the pressure to achieve margins is a constant battle. Additionally, as labor and input costs continue to escalate, consumers are going to lose purchasing power which will create its own effects on the industry. It is crucial that the farming community receive sufficient prices for their products. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is promoting on every media platform the need for consumers to appreciate and support our local farmers. We are also developing new and maintaining existing relationships with retail buyers and wholesalers and hammering home the critical need for the support of the retail sector.

It is necessary that we work to assist farmers with identifying niche markets. To that end, we are working on growing ethnic crop markets, expanding our value-added “Made With Jersey Fresh” products program, launching our “Jersey Raised” meats program and encouraging and supporting the development of new cultivars. To achieve this, we are (1) Developing an Organic, Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture program for education, marketing, and technical support for new and existing growers; (2) We continue to work with Rutgers, New Jersey’s Land Grant University, and support various research projects through Specialty Crop Block Grants; (3) Finally, our growers continue to face pressure and unfair competition from foreign growers who pay less than living wages and flood our markets with underpriced produce that has traveled thousands of miles before arriving at our stores. We are working with government and trade leadership to help with solutions to this trade disparity.

 

2. According to the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, 96 percent of the farms in New Jersey are family owned. As it has been for much of the nation and in all industries, finding the necessary labor remains at the forefront. Some family farms have been able to pivot by using the federal H2-A program to ensure they have enough labor to meet their needs. Also, some farms are also exploring the use of technology both in the field for harvest and in packing operations to help alleviate some of those labor pressures.

 

3. The Jersey Fresh program is the longest continuous running state marketing campaign in the country, having started in 1984. Jersey Fresh is a brand that is known and respected nationally and internationally. We run various advertising campaigns such as digital billboards, radio spots, and promotional events at the Jersey Shore during the summer, throughout the New Jersey growing season to highlight which crops are available. We also encourage the public to purchase locally grown produce as in New Jersey if a fruit or vegetable is labeled local, it means it was grown in the Garden State.

 

4. Farming in New Jersey is evolving not only in what we produce, but how it is produced. To that end, we wholeheartedly embrace traditional and conventional farm practices as well as the more innovative and creative technologies. New Jersey is a proving ground and fully invested in vertical farming. We are pleased to have leaders in the vertical farming industry choose New Jersey as their headquarters.

 

 

Richard Ball

Commissioner, New York Department of Agriculture

 

 

1. LABOR – Recently, the New York State Department of Labor approved lowering the farmworker overtime threshold to 40 hours. The threshold will drop in four-hour increments beginning at 56 hours in 2024. The Department supports an equitable workforce, and is proud that New York State farm workers are among the highest paid in the nation. To help offset some challenges that farmers may face with the new threshold, this year’s budget included historic support for agriculture, including a new refundable overtime tax credit was established for overtime hours paid by farm employers up to 60 hours. This robust plan, along with additional significant investment tax credit and farm workforce retention tax credit increases, will help our farmers to both support their workers and meet food production goals as they face continued challenges, including from COVID-19.

CLIMATE – From the Climate Action Council to the Climate Resilient Farming Grant program, New York State is at the forefront in the fight against climate change, with agriculture playing a major role in the State’s aggressive clean energy and climate agenda. For example, just last month, Governor Hochul announced nearly $7.9 million was awarded through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program that will help 70 New York State farms reduce their environmental footprint and prepare for climate change related extreme weather events. The Climate Resilient Farming Program was launched in 2015 and is helping New York’s agricultural community meet its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This year’s selected projects will reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 68,495 metric tons of CO2e per year, an equivalent to eliminating almost 14,800 cars per year from the road. In its first five founds, the program has supported 187 farms as they implement best management practices on the farm to protect our resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change. During Climate Week, Governor Hochul also announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $60 million to the NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project. The NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project will help New York agriculture producers and forest landowners implement climate smart practices and foster connections between landowners and companies with a growing demand for climate smart commodities.

RESILIENCY OF THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN – The COVID-19 pandemic drastically disrupted supply chains and markets, shining a light on the critical importance of having a strong local food system in place. As a result of the lessons learned during this difficult time, the department assembled a New York State Food Supply Working Group to address food shortages, food waste, and the inability to get New York farm goods to markets, and improve the resiliency and self-reliance of the state’s farm and food supply.

In addition, the department launched several groundbreaking programs in recent years to improve access to healthy, locally grown foods and strengthen connections to bring New York-grown foods and beverages to communities, including the Nourish New York initiative. The program allows New York’s emergency food providers to purchase surplus products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver them to New York families in need. Since its launch during the height of the pandemic in May 2020, Nourish New York has given $96 million to help New York’s network of food banks and emergency food providers purchase more than 57 million pounds of food from local farmers and deliver more than 47.7 million meals to communities across the state.

 

2. New York State relies on family farms as the backbone of the agricultural economy. In fact, we are home to over 33,000 family farms who produce world-class food and beverages. While farms across the state have felt the weight of the labor shortage, the Department has fought to bolster future protections for farmers with programs such as the Farmland Protection Program. The program has, through several rounds, helped ensure dairy farms have the opportunity to diversify their operations or transition their farm to the next generation at a more affordable cost while ensuring the land forever remains used for agricultural purposes. While the current labor shortage presents challenges for farms of all sizes, the department continues to advocate for change to the H2A program on the federal level and to strengthen the agricultural workforce pipeline, from agricultural education programs to trainings and apprenticeships.

 

3. One of the greatest assets to the state’s growing agricultural industry is its proximity to the country’s largest metropolitan area – New York City, home to over 8 million consumers. The department works hard to promote the quality food, beverages and products produced in-state to New Yorkers and national buyers alike. Two marketing initiatives that the department is most proud of are the Taste NY initiative and the New York State Grown and Certified.

The Taste NY initiative, created in 2013, creates opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the state and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. It has also helped the farms and companies participating in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and, in many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Taste NY’s food and beverage businesses also support the state’s farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products. Taste NY products are available at more than 60 locations across the State, including in the state’s transportation hubs, at rest areas along its highways, and at the state’s 11 welcome centers across the state.

Launched in 2016, the New York State Grown & Certified program promotes New York farms that are local, and are certified for producing their products to a higher standard, including adopting food safety standards and enrolling in an environmental management program. Since the program began, the NYS G&C program has grown and evolved to cover 20 agricultural commodities and processing industries, such as dairy, fruit and vegetable farms, shellfish operations and even the Christmas tree industry. The program supports participating farms through several marketing efforts, including on-product labels and promotional materials, such as a website, and video and sales materials, and advertising opportunities that include television, radio and digital advertisements..

Most recently, New York State Grown & Certified farms got a promotional boost with help from a new marketing campaign. The campaign highlighted New York’s diverse array of specialty crops and encouraged consumers to “Look for the Label” and find New York State Grown & Certified products, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, maple, and more at retailers across the state.

 

4. The department values and supports agriculture of all kinds, including the innovative strategies that many urban farmers have adopted, such as indoor farming, vertical farming and community gardens. While this specific sector faces unique challenges, such as zoning laws and crop insurance qualification, the Department is working hard to support New Yorkers who are looking to create greener, healthier cities through this type of agricultural innovation and urban farming. Just this year, the Department assembled a New York State Community Gardens Task Force to establish and expand community gardens and help increase access to fresh produce and agricultural education in more urban areas. As part of Governor Hochul’s State of the State initiatives, the Department will also soon be launching a grant program to support the expansion of community gardens.

 

 

Russell Redding

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture

 

 

1. Among the biggest challenges facing Pennsylvania agriculture are growing a skilled workforce that can meet increasingly technology-dependent employer needs; building our infrastructure and local supply chain to increase our capacity to meet consumer demand; and ramping up conservation measures to address climate change and ensure we have clean water, healthy soil and adequate farmland to feed a growing population.

The PA Farm Bill, the first and only of its kind in the nation, is possibly the most significant investment we have made to address these challenges and others to support the long-term prosperity of Pennsylvania agriculture. The comprehensive package of legislation grew out of an economic impact report issued in 2018, assessing the industry and the investments needed to overcome the challenges, amplify strengths and remove barriers to growth. Through the PA Farm Bill since 2019, Pennsylvania has invested more than $76 million to date in 2,200-plus grants and initiatives to feed the industry that has a $132.5 billion economic impact and supports more than 590,000 jobs.

The PA Farm Bill is just one part of a comprehensive strategy to grow and sustain Pennsylvania agriculture. Pa farmers have deep roots in conservation. To help further advance the conservation measures, the state recently invested an additional $164 million in soil and water best management practices. This investment, combined with the USDA Climate Smart Commodities funding, will help our farms and communities better leverage their conservation investments, build sustainability and mitigate the impacts of climate.

 

2. Family farms make up the large majority of the 52,700 farms covering 7.3 million acres of our state. The average farm size has grown from 134 acres to 139 over the past five years, but total farmland has remained constant. With more than 6,000 farms and 600,000-plus acres, Pennsylvania leads the nation in farms permanently preserved for agricultural production and protected from future industrial or residential development.

Farms that have innovated are succeeding and growing – those venturing into agritourism, value-added processing, direct-to-consumer sales through farm markets; transitioning to organic production to meet consumer demand; and generating new and diversified revenue streams to grow and cushion their operations against losses in one area. State support is available in each of those areas through the PA Farm Bill and other initiatives and grants. Growth is evidenced in Pennsylvania’s leadership nationally in direct-to-consumer sales and organic sales.

There is no doubt the labor shortage has had an impact on Pennsylvania’s farms, especially those that depend on seasonal labor for harvest. We are working with federal officials to make the H2A visa system less challenging for producers to navigate. Pennsylvania employers have nearly doubled the number of laborers here on H2A visas.

We are working to attract a new generation of farmers and to feed the minds of young people by realigning our ag education programs statewide to the needs of agricultural employers and by attracting a more diverse workforce. We are making sure there is a seat at the table for veterans, people who come from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds, LGBTQ individuals, people who live in urban or suburban areas, and others who may not have always felt welcome before.

 

3. PA Preferred is the state’s branding program for agricultural products. The 2019 PA Farm Bill gave direct, secure funding to the program for the first time, with targeted funding to make the program more beneficial to members.

Since 2019, the PA Farm Bill has invested more than $7 million in the PA Preferred program to grow support of the overall program, bolster enrollment in the Homegrown by Heroes program, and create opportunities in organic agriculture. These investments help qualified businesses of all sizes compete in the marketplace and connect with consumers. Members receive a monthly newsletter, a social media toolkit, free logos and point-of-purchase materials.

We’re in the third year of a robust statewide marketing campaign, reaching consumers through a wide range of tactics and media. The paid campaign is in addition to organic social media, traditional media interviews, events on farms, with grocery chains, cooking demos on the Culinary Connection Stage at the PA Farm Show – our unique state fair held every January — and at promotional events in partnership with the PA Tourism office and VisitPA. 2022 was the fifth year of the PA Ice Cream Trail, connecting consumers to Pennsylvania’s 5,400 dairy families and creameries who bring us our favorite dairy treats.

The PA Preferred Organic program was created under the PA Farm Bill to grow market opportunities, meet skyrocketing demand for organic products, and keep Pennsylvania a national leader in organics. Veteran farmers received additional support through the PA Farm Bill and the Homegrown By Heroes program that is part of PA Preferred.

 

4. Vertical farming is a welcome addition to Pennsylvania’s diverse farm economy. Controlled Environment Agriculture puts technology to work to provide one more option in a comprehensive array of solutions to address the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and urban land redevelopment.

This year I visited three companies that are expanding rapidly to provide new jobs, feed our state economy and meet growing consumer demand: Bowery Farms’ new Bethlehem location, Bright Farms new facility in Selinsgrove, and Upward Farms’ new location that will be the world’s largest of its kind when it opens in 2023. These companies and others across Pennsylvania are bringing sustainable, greens and protein sources like striped bass, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, fewer transport miles, less disease and reduced water use to our varied agricultural production landscape.

Pennsylvania is supporting these and other vertical farming companies through economic development grants and loans, workforce development grants to support training, marketing and promotional grants, research grants to develop blockchain and other related technologies, and — through our PA Farm Bill — Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants, Farm Vitality Grants for business planning and Farm to School Grants that fund school hydro and aquaponics labs. Proximity to cutting-edge post-secondary education and research facilities that include Ben Franklin Institute, Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania, the new Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability at Harrisburg University and numerous other centers for STEM research, development and education.