Senators to Propose Initiative to Support New Farmers

Senator Elder Vogel, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, will hold a media availability on Wednesday (March 27) to announce his legislation that is intended to encourage existing farmers and landowners to work with beginning farmers to help them get started.
Senator Vogel (R-47) will be joined by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) and Senator Judy Ward (R-28) at the event set for 10 a.m. in the Capitol Media Center in the East Wing of the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.

For every four farmers in Pennsylvania over the age of 65, there is only one farmer under the age of 35. Of the 7.7 million acres of farmland across Pennsylvania, 41 percent is managed by a farmer 55 years of age or older and 11 percent of that land is expected to transfer in the next five years.

“My legislation provides an incentive for landowners to lease or sell their land, buildings, and equipment to beginning farmers,” said Senator Vogel, who operates a family farm in Beaver County that was established in the late 1800s.  “The number one concern faced by new farmers is finding affordable farmland and I believe the state can be proactive in helping them overcome that hurdle.”