Tom Corbett's Plan Develop Pennsylvania's Strong Agricultural Community

Summary

With one in seven workers in Pennsylvania involved in the production, processing and distribution of food, this industry remains a major engine of economic growth and revitalization for our commonwealth. Agriculture is the number one industry in the commonwealth, and the hardworking men and women who run Pennsylvania farms are in critical need of leadership at the state level to ensure the viability and success of their livelihoods for generations to come. Tom Corbett has a plan for Pennsylvanians to utilize our rich, agricultural resources as a cornerstone for economic recovery.

Plan Highlights

• Enhancing the Department of Agriculture - Tom Corbett believes it is necessary to determine and evaluate the core functions of the Department of Agriculture, an agency of the state that must and will become a budgetary priority. Tom will work with the department to:
  • Ensure funding to state bureaus responsible for ensuring human, animal and plant health and safety
  • Protect Pennsylvania's environment by encouraging more eco-friendly farm management practices that will improve water quality and conserve the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
  • Ensure funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, providing tax credits for conservation and best management practices
  • Preserve Pennsylvania's farmlands for future generations
  • Enhance agricultural research opportunities by ensuring funding sources
  • Support county fairs, the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex, and Pennsylvania Horse and Harness Racing programs
  • Continue to provide consumer protection through the Bureau of Food Distribution and the Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards
• Securing the Future of Agriculture - Tom Corbett is committed to ensuring the viability and success of Pennsylvania's number one industry. Pennsylvania's agriculture must share its production system with consumers by offering safe and affordable food choices and by balancing worker, animal and food safety with environmental stewardship and a friendly market for our farmers to sell their produce and livestock. Tom's plan will accomplish the following goals:
  • Promote modern agriculture to ensure quality nutrition for a rapidly growing world population
  • Ensure animal care standards for feeding, housing and transporting livestock
  • Protect the Chesapeake Bay by continuing to reduce runoff from farms
  • Ensure and encourage the growth of Pennsylvania's unique industries, such as the hog, mushroom, hardwoods and fruit and vegetable industries
  • Meet the labor needs of agriculture and engage a future generation of workers through better training and education measures
  • Continue to support crop insurance for Pennsylvania farmers
  • Phase out the inheritance "death" tax to help Pennsylvania farm families continue farming for future generations
• Growing the Impact of Pennsylvania Dairy - Due to harsh and unfair measures such as the death tax and a time-consuming permitting process, a full quarter of Pennsylvania's dairy farms have gone out of business in the past decade. Increasing the growth and reach of our agricultural industry's key economic driver, dairy, is attainable through the following measures:
  • Transform the perception of the dairy industry from a "lifestyle hobby" to a contemporary family industry
  • Undertake a thorough review of the Milk Marketing Board to ensure the board is serving dairy farmers and consumers to the best of its abilities
  • Create an on-line "One Stop Shop" resource for dairy farmers to learn about and comply with regulations and to apply for necessary permits
  • Advocate for the Pennsylvania dairy farmer at the national level
• Promoting Pennsylvania's Equine Industry - Despite being a billion-dollar industry in this state, the raising and breeding of horses is often overlooked and under-supported. As Governor, Tom Corbett will promote the equine industry by:
  • Recognizing equine as livestock to give farmers more access to livestock management programs
  • Protecting open land space
  • Promoting the economic impact of horse shows
  • Establishing an equine advisory team to advise the Governor and Secretary of Agriculture on important and pertinent issues

 

View a printable version of Tom Corbett's full Agriculture policy (PDF file)

©2010, Paid for by Tom Corbett for Governor
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