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PA Agriculture Secretary Recognizes Industry, Producers for Excellence in Agriculture

Center for Farm Transitions, PAgrows Honor Pennsylvania Agriculturalists

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For their commitment to fostering the next generation ofPennsylvania agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff today recognized four producers and agribusinesses as pioneers in the areas of agricultural entrepreneurship and transition.

Wolff recognized the efforts of Strathmeyer Forests,York County; Giant Food Stores, LLC.,Cumberland County; Scott and Jennifer Gochenaur,Lancaster County; and Josh Leidhecker of Susquehanna Smart Fuel, LLC.,Lycoming County, during Penn State's Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs.

"The agricultural industry is constantly evolving to remain relevant and viable while still providing high quality products to consumers," said Wolff. "The winners of the awards today have shown their commitment to excellence in agriculture, whether they help in marketing new products, agricultural transitions or are transitioning themselves, and serve as examples of the success that can come from tapping into programs like PAgrows and theCenter for Farm Transitions."

Strathmeyer Forests received the Entrepreneur Award for Excellence in Agriculture for its dedication to providing consumers with the highest-grade tree products. In business for more than 75 years, Strathmeyer Forests has worked to improve the genetic quality of their evergreen transplants, seedlings and Christmas trees.

The business structure of the tree farm has evolved to take advantage of the unique knowledge, talents and skills of each team member of the four-generation family business, helping to ensure the success is passed on to the next generation of the Strathmeyer family.

The Leadership Award was presented to Giant Food Stores for its strong partnership with the state's PA Preferred program, which showcases the bestPennsylvania has to offer through branding high quality foods that are grown or processed in the state.

Each year, Giant and PA Preferred host a trade fair where local vendors introduce their products to Giant buyers. Since November, Giant has displayed PA Preferred products on exclusive racks in all of itsPennsylvania stores, giving smaller producers a presence in the marketplace. Giant also uses signs in its stores to direct customers to local products and it continues to support advertising efforts that showcasePennsylvania agriculture.

Scott and Jennifer Gochenaur were recognized as the New Generation Award winners for their success in buying a 21-acre egg laying farm inLancaster County. The Gochenaurs got help for their purchase from PAgrows and private and public funding sources like the Next Generation Farmer Loan program through Fulton Bank, the commonwealth's First Industries Fund - Small Business First Program through the Economic Development Corporation ofLancaster, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency.

The PAgrows andCenter for Farm Transitions Value-Added Excellence Award went to Josh Leidhecker, founder and owner of Susquehanna Smart Fuel, a business that promotes the sustainable farming of canola seed for biodiesel, premium grade food oil and feed stock. The company providesPennsylvania farmers an opportunity to diversify their operations with a value-added crop, and remains diverse itself through multiple uses of the final processed product.

Part of the economic development team at the Department of Agriculture, theCenter for Farm Transitions provides resources, including consultations, information and referrals to knowledgeable and experienced professionals, that will serve farmers as they look to transition into agriculture, new agricultural enterprises and to the next generation of farmers. For more information on the center, visit www.iplantofarm.com.

The PAgrows program provides technical help for farmers, processors and agribusinesses in their funding needs. Using programs such as the First Industries Fund and Farm Service Agency loans, PAgrows seeks to find the best method to secure funding for your agricultural project. For more information about PAgrows, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and follow the links to PAgrows.

CONTACT: Nicole L. C. Bucher

(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Tags: ,AGR,POL,AWD,STP,PAgrows-awards

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