May 01, 2026 - Emmaus, PA

ADVISORY - LEHIGH COUNTY - Shapiro Administration to Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week on Lehigh County Farm Training Next Generation of Farmers

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Executive Director Hannah Kinney Smith will celebrate National Apprenticeship Week at The Seed Farm, a 42-acre incubator farm in Lehigh County. Pasa has assumed operations on the county-owned farm, which is dedicated to training the next generation of farmers. The event will celebrate Pasa's new role alongside their regional and Shapiro Administration partners who are investing together to offer access to land, infrastructure, and expertise to aspiring farm entrepreneurs through the farm's programs and resources.

Specialized training is among the most pressing challenges for young people seeking to work in agriculture, and a skilled workforce is among the greatest needs of employers across Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry. Pennsylvania leads the nation in the percentage of farmers under 35 - and under Governor Josh Shapiro's leadership, the Commonwealth has created more apprenticeship opportunities and training programs to train more young Pennsylvanians who want to work in agriculture.

WHO:
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Patricia Blumenauer, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Executive Director Hannah Kinney Smith
Dan Dalton, Director for Technical Assistance, Training, Outreach & Development at Pasa Sustainable Agriculture
Lehigh County Executive Josh Seigel
Farmer Amirah Mitchell of Sistah Seeds
Farmer San Sankofa of Herbal Affirmations

WHEN: Friday, May 1, 11 a.m.

WHERE: The Seed Farm, 5854 Vera Cruz Rd S, Emmaus, PA 18049

RSVP: Press interested in attending should RSVP to aginfo@pa.gov

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