Philly Leader

Last month Gov. Tom Wolf announced that $293,070 in new funding through the Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant program will be used for the training of future farmers in response to the growing demand for locally grown food.

The funding will go toward helping Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, who will partner with six farmer training programs across the state, according to an August 30 press release. They will train five pre-apprentices over the course of three years, as well as support registered apprentices.

“Through this funding, Pasa will be able to provide training for diversified vegetable apprentices and pre-apprentices across Pennsylvania,” said Wolf. “The invaluable skillset these apprentices and pre-apprentices learn helps keep agriculture at the forefront of the commonwealth’s economy. My administration is pleased to continue to support these programs.”

The Departments of Community and Economic Development and Agriculture held a press conference in Landisburg about the funds on August 30, as well.

“Pennsylvania has a strong workforce, and it is due, in part, to programs like this one,” said Gwen Ross, director of Workforce Development Initiatives at DCED. “Continuing to invest in programs that provide training and develop our workforce is a key way to give Pennsylvania a competitive advantage.”

During Wolf’s time in office there have been 82 pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs supported. He has also invested $12 million into those programs.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Special Assistant Sara Gligora said that consumer demand for locally grown food is rapidly increasing. For growers to meet the demand they will need skilled workers who can adapt to changing technology.

“These apprenticeships are a solid investment in attracting good students and paying them while they learn the skills agriculture needs to keep feeding demand and feeding the world,” Gligora said.

Pasa was established by farmers in 1992 and involves farmer trailing, conducting research, policy, education and creating food programs. 

“Pasa’s state-registered Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship programs are major milestones in ushering in the next generation of Pennsylvania’s farmers,” said Dan Dalton, assistant director of Farmer Training and Development at Pasa. “Diversified Vegetable Pre-Apprenticeship offers a first step to a career in agriculture. Graduates of the full apprenticeship will be able to clearly demonstrate their competencies, better positioning them for management-level positions, and accessing capital and land opportunities.”