Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced $600,345 in PA Farm Bill Agriculture & Youth Grants, including 15 matching and 47 direct awards to organizations in 33 counties, funding projects that will empower youth across the state to succeed in Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker, and Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe joined Secretary Redding to make the announcement during a Career Expo connecting more than 2,200 Pennsylvania students with career opportunities offered by 48 agricultural businesses.
“Pennsylvania youth are the fertile ground that will grow our nation’s prosperity in the future,” Secretary Redding said. “Our investments in relevant agriculture education today will help Pennsylvania agriculture businesses meet increasingly complex challenges tomorrow.”
L&I and the Department of Agriculture have partnered to create more apprenticeship opportunities and training programs in Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office has supported the creation of 115 new apprenticeships including four new apprenticeship programs serving the agriculture industry and enrolled more than 17,100 new apprentices.
“Agriculture has always been at the heart of Pennsylvania’s economy, and it continues to offer meaningful, family-sustaining careers for the next generation,” said Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker.
