Governor Josh Shapiro attended the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Wednesday (January 13) in Harrisburg, marking his first public appearance since announcing his re-election campaign. At the event, Shapiro focused on the importance of agriculture to Pennsylvania's economy, describing it as the "center of our economic strategy." The agricultural sector contributes $132.5 billion to the state's economy and is a key part of Shapiro's plans for the future.
During his visit, Shapiro emphasized the significance of conservation efforts, which have seen progress in rural areas, often bridging bipartisan divides. He also highlighted the state's success in integrating technology into agriculture, pointing to Pennsylvania's status as the only growing state economy in the northeast, according to a Moody’s report. Shapiro expressed gratitude to universities and private sector businesses for their collaboration in supporting agriculture.
A major theme of the Farm Show this year is America250, celebrating the nation's semiquincentennial with a focus on "Growing a Nation." The show also explores urban agriculture projects aimed at transforming food systems in Pennsylvania's urban areas. Recently, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced over $600,000 in Agriculture & Youth Grants as part of the 2025-2026 state budget.
Shapiro also discussed ongoing research to combat avian flu, which had previously impacted the state's dairy and livestock producers. He mentioned that a new veterinary lab at Penn State's Beaver campus will soon open to help track and mitigate diseases.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs through Saturday (January 16), providing a platform for the state to showcase its agricultural achievements and future plans.