Hershey, PA - Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro joined agricultural leaders from across the Commonwealth at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau's 75th Anniversary Banquet in Hershey, where he talked about how his Administration is delivering historic investments for the farmers, families, and rural communities who keep Pennsylvania's largest industry strong.

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made agriculture a central pillar of Pennsylvania's economic development strategy - and the 2025-26 budget continues Pennsylvania's role as a national leader in agricultural innovation, food security, and economic growth. Over the past three years, the Governor has worked side-by-side with farmers, producers, and agricultural organizations to modernize the industry, remove barriers to growth, and ensure that Pennsylvania farms remain competitive and prosperous for generations to come.

"Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities," said Governor Shapiro. "From day one, my Administration has worked to put farmers at the center of Pennsylvania's economic growth strategy - launching the nation's first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, opening the Organic Center of Excellence, and supporting poultry farmers with recovery funding and a new western veterinary lab. We've also cut permitting backlogs and created new apprenticeships to train the next generation of farmers. This year's budget builds on that work because Pennsylvania's future runs through our farmlands - and when our farmers succeed, the whole Commonwealth succeeds."

Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget delivers major investments to combat hunger, strengthen the charitable food network, and support Pennsylvania farmers. Agriculture is a key driver of Pennsylvania's economy, supporting more than 600,000 jobs and contributing $132 billion annually. This year's budget reinforces both agriculture and food security, helping farmers, families, and communities thrive.

"Governor Shapiro understands that strong agriculture requires strong collaborations - and he shows up for our farmers," said Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "From improving permitting times and expanding economic development tools, to supporting the next generation of producers and investing in forward-thinking programs, Governor Shapiro has encouraged his entire Administration to prioritize agriculture - driving real impact and real results for our farm and food businesses."

"We are truly excited to have Governor Shapiro with us to help us celebrate our 75th anniversary," said Chris Hoffman, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President. "Over the last three years, Governor Shapiro has promised that he would continue to be committed to serving agriculture and to keep Pennsylvania's top industry strong. That commitment was reflected in the 2025-26 budget with the $10 million dedicated to the Ag Innovation Grant, while fully funding the Pennsylvania Farm Bill. We are extremely grateful for his partnership in helping to advance Pennsylvania agriculture."

Watch Governor Shapiro talk about how agriculture is central to the Commonwealth's economy.

Food Security Investments in the 2025-26 Budget

In the 2025-26 budget, Governor Shapiro secured $10 million for the nation's only Agricultural Innovation Grant Program to help farmers adopt new technologies, implement conservation practices, and expand renewable energy - and fully funded the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, sustaining critical programs that support business development, conservation, organic transition, and workforce training.

This budget includes a historic $11 million increase for food security, including:

• $3 million for the State Food Purchase Program and $1 million for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS);
• $2 million for a new state Food Bucks program to supplement SNAP; and
• $5 million in new funding to Pennsylvania food banks.

As a result of these investments, Pennsylvania is committing over $40 million in state funding to combating food insecurity.

Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, his Administration has advanced initiatives to reduce hunger, expand access to nutritious food, and ensure Pennsylvania remains a national leader in agriculture - building a more resilient agricultural economy, safeguarding the food supply, and securing a prosperous future for the Commonwealth's farming communities, including:

• Expanded universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students and free lunch for 22,000 students - serving nearly 93 million breakfasts last school year.

• Continued Summer EBT and increased State Food Purchase Program support for children and seniors.

• Filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for unlawfully terminating the $13 million Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program, which supports 189 Pennsylvania farms and 14 food banks.

• Responded swiftly to the federal shutdown by signing a disaster declaration, directing $5 million to Feeding Pennsylvania's food bank network, and launching the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, which has raised more than $2 million in private donations.

• Joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C. in successfully suing the Trump Administration for suspending SNAP payments and failing to use contingency funds approved by Congress.

• Launched Pennsylvania's first Economic Development Strategy in nearly two decades, with agriculture as a central pillar.

• Launched the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program to help farmers and agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable energy innovations.

• Invested $1 million to create the Organic Center of Excellence and the PA Preferred Organic™ brand.

• Committed more than $65 million to mitigate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and support poultry farmers.

• Funded a new state-of-the-art animal health laboratory in Western Pennsylvania.

• Continued the Fresh Food Financing Initiative to improve access to local food and support small businesses.

• Invested $82 million in the Clean Streams Fund to expand the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).

• Signed legislation to expand Sunday hunting, a longstanding priority for many farmers, which helps manage wildlife populations and reduce crop damage.

Read more about Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget, view the Governor's remarks as prepared here, or watch the Governor's deliver remarks here.

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