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Agriculture 

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Cultivating the Future of Agriculture  

Pennsylvania agriculture feeds the nation and fuels our state’s economy. Bringing in over $132 billion annually and supporting more than 593,000 jobs, our agriculture industry is one of the most robust in the country. And it’s no wonder why: Pennsylvania provides optimal conditions for farms and agribusinesses to thrive with a temperate climate, fertile soils, and convenient access to a large portion of the population.

We lead the nation in a diverse range of agricultural commodities — from dairy, livestock, and poultry to specialty crops like mushrooms, apples, peaches, and flowers. You’ll also find us among the top three states for overall organic sales. By investing in innovation and embracing AgTech in the field, the Commonwealth is committed to farming sustainably and revolutionizing the way we grow food.

We take snacks and sweets seriously too, and not just in York County, the “Snack Food Capital of the World.” Pennsylvania ranks in the top five for snack food manufacturing and is home to well-known brands such as Hershey, Utz, Herr’s, and Snyder’s of Hanover. With strong agricultural resources across the state and close proximity to major U.S. markets, it’s easy for businesses here to deliver their products from farm to table.

Plant your roots in Pennsylvania and cultivate the future.  

Apples on display

“Supporting Bowery’s Bethlehem farm, a former brownfield site, is the perfect illustration for how the Commonwealth is thinking about deploying indoor farming to generate new economic potential.” — Colin O’Neil, Senior Director of Public Policy & Social Impact for Bowery

“We're very excited about the agriculture innovation fund — it will drive the growth of small businesses that will take our research and turn it into tools that farmers can use, and it will also create a community of farmers that know how technology can be used on their farms.” — Dr. Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology and Director of The Center for Pollinator Research at Pennsylvania State University

#1 in Organic Poultry Production in the U.S.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
4th Largest Producer of Food Products in the Nation America’s Heartland
$13.8 Million in Pennsylvania Farm Bill Investments PA.GOV
49,000+ Farms Across the State USDA Census of Agriculture, 2022
16.62 Million Acres of Forestland Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council
$10 Million Agricultural Innovation Grant Program PA.GOV

Want to Dive Deeper?

Check out our interactive data map and learn everything there is to know about agribusiness in Pennsylvania.

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Funding and Resources

Our strategic location means that product can reach 40% of the U.S. population and 60% of the Canadian population within a day’s drive. The commonwealth offers plentiful available sites for new or expanding operations, and the strength of our workforce means that food manufacturers have a deep pool of talent to recruit workers. It’s no wonder that our agribusiness, food, and beverage production industry supports 140,000 jobs and $38.3 billon in output. After all, there’s a reason why household name brands like Heinz and Hershey have called Pennsylvania home for more than a century.

Our strategic location means that product can reach 40% of the U.S. population and 60% of the Canadian population within a day’s drive. The commonwealth offers plentiful available sites for new or expanding operations, and the strength of our workforce means that food manufacturers have a deep pool of talent to recruit workers. It’s no wonder that our agribusiness, food, and beverage production industry supports 140,000 jobs and $38.3 billon in output. After all, there’s a reason why household name brands like Heinz and Hershey have called Pennsylvania home for more than a century.