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January 13, 2026 - Harrisburg, PA

Shapiro Administration Celebrates Two Decades of Fueling Growth, New Investments in Pennsylvania's $132.5 Billion Agriculture Industry through Centers for Excellence

On the fourth day of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Lisa Graybeal and leadership from Pennsylvania's Centers for Excellence gathered to celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth through bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors.

"This year's Farm Show theme, Growing A Nation, isn't just a reference to the food on our plates," Graybeal said. "It's a recognition that agriculture is the foundation of our economy, the health of our communities, and the security of our nation. The Centers for Excellence are enhancing Pennsylvania's global competitiveness and growing the future of our industry and our economy."

"By combining the practical experience and in-depth knowledge of a wide spectrum of industry professionals with the expertise of our world-class research and teaching institutions, the centers are a model that works, making strategic investments where each industry needs them most to ensure Pennsylvania continues to be a national leader."

Collectively, the centers receive a $4.1 million investment through the state budget.

Speakers Include:
Pennsylvania Ag Business Center Director, Stephanie Shirk
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Lisa Graybeal
Silver Valley Farm Co-Owner Jim Shirk
LEAF Project Executive Director Heidi Witmer
Farmer Kendra Nissley Jubilee Heritage Cheese
Farmer Scotty Miller Masonic Villages Farm



Deputy Agriculture Secretary Lisa Graybeal and leadership from the Pennsylvania Centers for Excellence celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_01.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania Ag Business Center Director Stephanie Shirk celebrates how centers of excellence are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_02.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lisa Graybeal, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary, celebrates how centers of excellence are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_03.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania Ag Business Center Director Stephanie Shirk celebrates how centers of excellence are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_04.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Jim Shirk, Silver Valley Farm Co-Owner, speaks on behalf of the Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence to celebrate growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_05.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Deputy Agriculture Secretary Lisa Graybeal and leadership from the Pennsylvania Centers for Excellence celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_06.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Deputy Agriculture Secretary Lisa Graybeal and leadership from the Pennsylvania Centers for Excellence celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_07.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania Ag Business Center Director Stephanie Shirk celebrates how centers of excellence are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_08.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> LEAF Project Executive Director Heidi Witmer speaks on behalf of the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_09.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> LEAF Project Executive Director Heidi Witmer speaks on behalf of the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_10.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lisa Graybeal, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary, celebrates how centers of excellence are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_11.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Jim Shirk, Silver Valley Farm Co-Owner, speaks on behalf of the Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_12.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Emily and Sophia, Youth Crew for the LEAF Leadership Education & Farming program, show support for the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_13.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> LEAF Project Executive Director Heidi Witmer speaks on behalf of the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_14.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Emily and Sophia, Youth Crew for the LEAF Leadership Education & Farming program, show support for the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_15.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kendra Nissley, Farmer at Jubilee Heritage Cheese, speaks on behalf of the Center for Dairy Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_16.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kendra Nissley, Farmer at Jubilee Heritage Cheese, speaks on behalf of the Center for Dairy Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_17.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Scotty Miller, Farmer at Masonic Villages Farm, speaks on behalf of the Pennsylvania Beef Council, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_18.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kendra Nissley, Farmer at Jubilee Heritage Cheese, speaks on behalf of the Center for Dairy Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_19.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Scotty Miller, Farmer at Masonic Villages Farm, speaks on behalf of the Pennsylvania Beef Council, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_20.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kendra Nissley, Farmer at Jubilee Heritage Cheese, speaks on behalf of the Center for Dairy Excellence, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_21.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Emily and Sophia, Youth Crew for the LEAF Leadership Education & Farming program, show support for the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_22.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> LEAF Project Executive Director Heidi Witmer, joined by Emily and Sophia, Youth Crew for the LEAF Leadership Education & Farming program, show support for the newly launched Center for Plant Excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_23.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Scotty Miller, Farmer at Masonic Villages Farm, speaks on behalf of the Pennsylvania Beef Council, celebrating growth in Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry through centers for excellence, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_24.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration and leadership from the Pennsylvania Centers for Excellence celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_25.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration and leadership from the Pennsylvania Centers for Excellence celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_26.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Shapiro Administration and leadership from the Pennsylvania Centers for Excellence celebrate how the centers are feeding the nation's growth by bringing together industry associations, higher education institutions, and the Commonwealth to help advance research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania's different plant and animal agriculture sectors, in Harrisburg, PA on January 13, 2026.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28791_Ag_PACenters_27.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>