PENNSYLVANIA — Speaking at a biannual town hall in Rock Springs, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding had a simple set of questions to ask:  “Who is our farmer? What does agriculture look like in the years to come?” 

From the barns of the Wayne County Fair to the panels at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, the future of Pennsylvania agriculture was on full display this month, with panels highlighting  both the people shaping the industry and the policies guiding it.

The next generation

At the start of August, the Wayne County Fair showcased youth farmers, including 18-year-olds Olyvea Burke and Nicole Non, who were named top senior 4-H members. 

The students relaxed before sale day (the day when the animals they'd raised would be sold) while chatting with the River Reporter, reflecting on years in 4-H and the lessons they’ve learned. 

Burke had raised her pigs in a small shed, while Non lived on a 150 dairy farm. Both said they wished more people understood the importance of healthy animal welfare and the misconceptions about small farmers. For example, some people think that farmers mistreat animals, said the young 4-H members.

Non said, “It’s bittersweet,” remembering that she joined 4-H a year after most participants, at age 9. Burke said she chose pigs because they were affordable and her older cousin had raised them before.

Their experiences illustrate how the next generation is shaping Pennsylvania agriculture. After a busy week preparing for the livestock sale, the young 4-H members were set to celebrate their hard work during the awards ceremony. Burke hopes to attend medical school, and Non plans to pursue veterinary studies.

The future of agriculture

Later in the month, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs drew roughly 44,000 attendees to explore statewide agricultural issues. Panels covered farm robotics, invasive species, wildlife management, hunting and federal and state programs. 

Panels highlighted the growing role of technology in agriculture. Speakers discussed artificial intelligence in student agricultural research programs and European drone techniques. 

Troy Ott, associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, encouraged a “Silicon Valley mindset” in agriculture, stressing the importance of early funding to help small businesses prototype and commercialize discoveries. Ott and Redding emphasized food safety, affordability, and the strength of the agricultural system during a town hall.

Ott said, “We have built a tremendous interlocking food system that starts with the people who work on the farm day in and day out.”

Redding shared an example from Europe, where he saw a drone counting blossoms. The drone technology could help farmers answer questions such as, 'Do I need to think about the tree?' How many bushels will be produced?' and 'How many workers will I need in the fall?' said Redding.  He also highlighted Agrigates, a startup using wearable tags for swine to monitor health, nutrition and breeding cycles.

At the Technology for Agriculture and Living Systems panel, experts explored autonomous technologies, like self-driving sprayers, which require new skill sets. They discussed how such innovations can attract new workers while helping fill labor gaps.

Industry Insights

Panels also highlighted real-world perspectives from industry experts. Vanessa McGrath, chief of staff and general counsel at Burro, discussed the company’s lending library for tech equipment, reporting positive feedback from farmers. She noted, however, that farmers are wary of subscription fees and additional costs. 

McGrath emphasized small factors, like recurring revenue models for robots, saying, “We will sell you a robot, you pay the robot over a couple of years. Education is key for the robot to stay competitive.”

John Wallace, Penn State associate professor of weed science, focused on smaller-scale applications and return on investment. 

Kelly Kundratic, Team Pennsylvania’s agriculture director, highlighted the importance of meeting farmers where they are, noting, “Not everyone is a technologist.”