State and federal agriculture officials made a stop in Erie County Tuesday to stress the importance of farming while hearing concerns from local growers.
A roundtable discussion highlighted the efforts of the USDA to create additional income opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced over $237 million in investments in the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
This program invests in farmers and rural business owners across the country.
“As we identify ways to support farmers through technical assistance and apprenticeship programs we’re also looking for ways to help them have a fairer share of their food dollar through value-added products,” said Xochitl Torres Small, deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture
The Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture said there has been an intentional effort to understand the food system and how fragile it has become since the pandemic.
“By USDA and by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and others to really build that resiliency and recognize that there are really important needs that are fundamental to a functioning society,” said Russell Redding, Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture.
One local grower said these conversations also allow others in the area to collaborate and share ideas.
“Both for the level of work that we’re doing in the food system which is providing that retail space for small-scale farmers and food growers and also for the other people who are on the panel to get a better understanding of what they’re trying to do and how the USDA can support that,” said Marti Martz, executive director of Edinboro Market.
But she said there is still a lot of work to be done in order for agriculture to be supported in all aspects.
“I’d hope to just see renewed investment in some of the programs that are already going that are looking for support like for land access for farmers for young and urban farmers and just more investment in community-driven in community-based solutions,” Stephanie Ciner, a tender for Wild Field Urban Farms went on to say.
Ciner said every day she is thinking about what is taking place with land and food even beyond Erie.
