May 01, 2026 - Emmaus, PA
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Executive Director Hannah Kinney Smith celebrated National Apprenticeship Week at The Seed Farm, a 42-acre incubator farm in Lehigh County dedicated to training the next generation of farmers. The event celebrated Pasa's new role as stewards of the farm 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. "Pennsylvania needs farmers," Secretary Redding said. "And beginning farmers need support like hands-on training under experienced mentors, as well as land access and capital for equipment. The Shapiro Administration is committed not only to giving beginning farmers tools to succeed, but to helping Pennsylvania agriculture businesses meet increasingly complex challenges in a specialized industry."Speaker List:Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell ReddingPatricia Blumenauer, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary for Workforce DevelopmentHannah Kinney Smith, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Executive DirectorDan Dalton, Director for Technical Assistance, Training, Outreach & Development at Pasa Sustainable AgricultureLehigh County Executive Josh SeigelFarmer Amirah Mitchell of Sistah SeedsFarmer San Sankofa of Herbal Affirmations
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