State officials visited a Berks County farm this week to highlight investments aimed at supporting women in agriculture during Women’s History Month and the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and State Sen. Judy Schwank, minority chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, visited Willow Run Farmstead to recognize the role women play in the state’s agriculture industry and to spotlight programs designed to help farms remain sustainable.
“Women have long been leaders in Pennsylvania agriculture — managing farms, making key business decisions, and shaping the future of our industry,” Redding said. “Investments like the Farm Vitality Grant Program help farm families plan for the future and ensure the next generation of producers has the support they need to keep Pennsylvania agriculture strong.”
During the visit, officials highlighted the Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Grant Program, which provides funding for professional planning services such as business planning, diversification, and farm transition planning. The program connects farmers with technical experts to help farm families navigate complex decisions and build long-term sustainability.
Willow Run Farmstead owner Deanne Weber used a $7,296 Farm Vitality Grant to help support the transition of the third-generation preserved farm into her ownership. The farm raises beef for direct-to-consumer sales and incorporates sustainability and conservation practices.
“As a beginning woman farmer, county, state, and federal programs were essential in helping me get my operation off the ground,” Weber said. “The grants I received provided critical early financial support, and the experienced professionals I worked with offered guidance that was just as valuable as the funding itself. As I gain experience farming, I continue to look for ways I can give back to my community, supporting other women farmers and making space for connection, mentorship, and the kind of knowledge-sharing that strengthens us all.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, women represent a growing share of the state’s agricultural workforce. About 31,135 women are involved in agriculture across Pennsylvania, accounting for roughly 35% of agricultural producers.
State officials said women play key roles in farm management and decision-making, with nearly 80% involved in day-to-day farm management decisions. More than 26,000 women serve as operators who live on the farms they manage, while 1,282 serve as hired farm managers. Additionally, more than 4,200 women involved in agriculture are under age 35.
“Pennsylvania’s women farmers are innovators, entrepreneurs, and stewards of our land,” Schwank said. “As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the International Year of the Woman Farmer, it’s important that we continue supporting policies and programs that help women succeed in agriculture and ensure the long-term strength of our rural communities.”
State officials said education and workforce programs are also helping support the next generation of women in agriculture. At Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, two-thirds of students are women, and organizations such as Pasa Sustainable Agriculture provide apprenticeship programs that offer hands-on training in sustainable farming practices.
“Women farmers are playing a critical role in building resilient farms and food systems across Pennsylvania,” said Hannah Kinney Smith, executive director of Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. “Supporting farmers through education, mentorship, collaboration, and smart public investments helps ensure that women entering agriculture today have the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed.”
The Shapiro Administration said its agricultural initiatives include investments through the PA Farm Bill, workforce training and career education programs, urban agriculture grants, and efforts to address food insecurity and workforce shortages.
Officials also noted that the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women is currently collecting feedback through a digital survey as part of its upcoming State of the Woman Report, which aims to assess the status of women across Pennsylvania and help guide future policy decisions.
