Governor Josh Shapiro visited Sterman Masser Potato Farm in Schuylkill County on Monday to highlight the positive impact of strategic state investments aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.
The visit focused on how the Shapiro Administration’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program—the first of its kind in the nation—is helping farms like Sterman Masser adopt advanced technologies to grow their operations, create jobs, and boost the state’s economy.
Sterman Masser, an eighth-generation family-owned farm and one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most innovative potato growers, recently received a $200,000 grant through the program. The funding allowed the farm to purchase and install a state-of-the-art potato planter, which is expected to significantly improve planting efficiency, cut fuel costs, and expand the farm's planting and harvesting capacity from 1,000 to 2,000 acres. This expansion marks the first increase in potato acreage in the Commonwealth in 50 years.
"Our farmers are the backbone of our economy here in Pennsylvania—they put food on our tables, in our stores, and in our restaurants every day," said Governor Shapiro during his visit. "If we want to compete and succeed as a Commonwealth, then we have to invest in our ag economy."
Shapiro emphasized the bipartisan support behind the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, which was launched in response to feedback he received from farmers during his campaign for governor.
"When I was campaigning, I heard over and over again from folks in the ag industry that they needed access to capital to invest back in their operations," Shapiro said. "That's why we came together last year—Democrats and Republicans alike—to address that challenge and create a brand-new, first-in-the-nation Ag Innovation fund that's delivering real results like this new planter here at Sterman Masser."
The grant program offers a mix of grants, loans, and technical assistance to farmers and agricultural businesses seeking to implement cutting-edge technologies. State officials say the initiative is key to keeping Pennsylvania at the forefront of agricultural innovation while supporting job creation and long-term sustainability.
Sterman Masser currently employs over 400 workers and serves customers across the country. With the new equipment, company leaders say they are positioned to meet growing demand while improving environmental efficiency and maintaining their commitment to high-quality, locally grown produce.
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