UNIVERSITY PARK — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is investing $1.3 million in Penn State’s Agricultural Workforce Development Project to strengthen the state’s agricultural workforce.
In partnership with Penn State Extension and the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, the department aims to build a responsive workforce system that supports employers, expands worker opportunities and improves employment conditions in the agriculture sector.
“Investing in a strong agricultural workforce is critical to the future of Pennsylvania’s farms and our economy,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in announcing the funding. “This partnership with Penn State is a key investment in our future, ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of our economy for generations to come.”
The project team includes Suzanna Windon, principal investigator and associate professor of youth and adult leadership in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, along with co-principal investigators Linda Falcone and Cher Harpster, leadership and community vitality extension educators; Ross Pifer, law professor and the director of Penn State Dickinson Law’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law; Brook Duer, staff attorney in the center; and additional members of the leadership and community vitality extension team.
“This project will equip Pennsylvania’s agricultural workforce with essential HR knowledge, legal and safety guidance, and workforce management strategies,” Windon said. “Strengthening the capacity of small and mid-sized farm operators and expanding workforce training will promote long-term economic stability and resilience in the agribusiness sector.”
Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry contributes $132.5 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports more than 593,600 jobs. However, small- and mid-sized farms face labor shortages and hiring challenges. This project is aimed at preventing closures and layoffs while building a stronger, more sustainable workforce.
Funded through the Farms and Agribusiness Workforce Engagement Grant, the two-year project focuses on three main objectives:
• Increasing PA CareerLink awareness among farmers and agribusinesses.
• Providing technical assistance to employers on HR practices, legal compliance, safety and employee management.
• Training workforce system providers on the unique needs of the agricultural sector.
A group of 100 small- to mid-sized farms and agribusinesses will receive training and consulting on hiring and retaining employees. Additional support will cover legal counseling, safety and bookkeeping as needed.
In the first phase, surveys will assess employment conditions and identify training gaps among farms, agribusinesses and workforce professionals. Based on these findings, Penn State Extension and the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will provide more than 85 hours of HR-related training statewide. Selected farms will receive tailored consulting on hiring, managing and evaluating employees.
The project also will offer technical consulting in worker safety, employment law and compensation. The Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will develop the Pennsylvania Farm & Food Employers’ Handbook, a free resource that will be available on the Penn State Extension website.
Penn State Extension will expand its training reach to 1,500 agribusinesses, raising awareness about recruitment and hiring resources available through PA CareerLink. At least 1,000 eligible farms and agribusinesses will be registered in the Commonwealth Workforce Development System to support long-term business success and reduce the risk of closures and layoffs.
“I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to connect agricultural businesses with the programs and services available through the public workforce system,” Harpster said.
Beyond direct support for farms, the project will educate workforce system professionals and stakeholders on agriculture’s unique employment needs. Workshops and events will address hiring and retention challenges, highlight industry trends, and promote solutions. Subject matter experts, agribusiness leaders, workforce development representatives, and Department of Labor and Industry officials will participate.
This investment aligns with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy, emphasizing agriculture’s role in Pennsylvania’s economy, according to the Department of Labor and Industry.
“As we work to ensure Pennsylvania remains a national leader in agriculture, we must support the many small farms and agribusinesses facing challenges with attracting and retaining skilled workers,” Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker said in the press release. “The Shapiro Administration has selected Penn State to carry out this important project, which will help strengthen the industry’s workforce for years to come.”
This initiative is fully funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.