HARRISBURG – In honor of National Dairy Month, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) was joined by state dairy and agriculture leaders as they showcased the immense value and impact the state’s dairy industry has on the commonwealth and its residents.
Currently, Pennsylvania is home to nearly 5,000 dairy farmers and 468,000 dairy cows. These farms contribute $11.8 billion in economic revenue and supports 47,000 jobs.
Vogel, who was a dairy farmer and serves as the majority chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affair Committee, stated “At the heart of our dairy industry, are our farmers. Without their knowledge, expertise, dedication, and, most importantly, their dairy cows, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt would not be available for our households. Our farmers are the backbone of our nation and ensure our homes are enriched with quality dairy, meat, and produce. We thank them not just today but every day for their never-ending dedication to our commonwealth.”
He added, “As an advocate for our dairy farms and our agriculture industry as a whole, I am proud to have spearheaded legislation aimed at providing a better future for our farmers.”
These initiatives include:
- Increasing PA dairy farmer access to the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program (Senate Bill 1229).
- Establishing the agriculture innovation grant program (Senate Bill 1269)
- Reforming our current over-order premium system to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency.
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11), minority chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, highlighted the importance of the state’s dairy industry.
“Dairy is a crucial component of Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector,” said Schwank. “Our hardworking dairy farmers provide us with products that are kitchen staples in homes across the country. During Dairy Month, we must celebrate the contributions our dairy farmers make to the commonwealth’s economy and ensure that state policies support their livelihoods.”
Jayne Sebright, executive director for the Center for Dairy Excellence, gave an in-depth look at Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and the contributions it continues to provide to the economy and communities statewide.
Following this overview, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reiterated these sentiments and discussed the potential benefits the dairy industry could experience following passage of the state budget.
Jared Kurtz, a dairy farmer and operator of Kurtland Farms in Berks County, showed much pride as he talked about his family farm and what it means to be a dairy farmer.
“Dairy farming is the opportunity to work with incredible people to continue to grow a legacy of caring for our land and animals in the best possible manner to provide nutrition to those in our communities.”
Kurtland Farms, located in Elverson, PA, has been in Kurtz’s family since its establishment in 1920 and is currently operated by Jared, Marla, Tim, and Deborah Kurtz.
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121), majority chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and Rep. Dan. Moul (R-91), minority chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, shared the same outlooks of the Senate Ag Committee chairs and voiced their continued support of the industry and the vital products they provide to the Pennsylvania families.
“Our Pennsylvania dairy farmers and their families pour their hearts and souls into this profession,” Pashinski said. “This month – and all year long – it’s important to thank them for their passion for their animals, their commitment to stewarding the land, and their unwavering dedication to providing us with safe, nutritious, and delicious dairy products.”
“Dairy Month is the perfect time to assess the overall health of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. In recent years, we have witnessed a steady decline in the number of dairy farms and dairy cows and the level of dairy production in Pennsylvania,” said Moul. “As Republican chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and one who lives in and represents a rural farming and dairy-producing county, I support efforts to encourage greater investment in Pennsylvania’s dairy infrastructure.”
To view the press conference in its entirety, click here.
CONTACT: Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076 (Vogel)
Spencer Thornburg, 610-929-2151 (Schwank)
William Hughes, 717-772-2999(Pashinski)
Donna Pinkham (Moul)