The state’s agriculture secretary announced available funding this past week that could help create interest in the county for jobs pertaining to agriculture.

Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s top industry, employing more than 500,000 people and making up an estimated 18 percent of the state’s economy.

However, studies have shown the state’s agricultural industry is failing to replace its aging workforce. A workforce deficit of nearly 75,000 people is expected over the next decade.

While more than 50% of the state agricultural industry’s workers were in their early 20s to mid-30s about 20 years ago, that number has dropped to 40%.

Last week, state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that $500,000 in grants is available through the Ag and Youth Grant Program in the Pennsylvania Farm Bill. The money is intended for various projects aimed at rebuilding the state’s agriculture workforce.

This is a great idea — and one that local leaders should promote in Butler County.

The grants can be used to fund such projects as agricultural education, workforce development programs, seminars, field trips, agricultural safety training, capital projects and equipment purchases.

One is a direct, non-matching reimbursement grant of up to $7,500 to provide money for the costs of an eligible project other than a capital project, while another is a matching reimbursement grant of up to $25,000 to pay for no more than 50% of the costs of a capital project or equipment purchase.

The idea is that the grants will help to address the expected shortfall of agricultural workers as aging farmers retire and more technology-based jobs are created.

“By sparking early interest in agriculture through hands-on programs, we cultivate future industry leaders,” Redding said.

Although promoting agricultural careers in the county has been difficult during the past year — for example, the county’s farm show was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic — some good ideas have been floated.

For example, we agreed with the push to provide high-speed broadband in the state’s rural areas. Some farm machinery uses internet service for navigation, and because young people are accustomed to a world that operates online, it stands to reason that expanded rural broadband service could make agricultural jobs more appealing to them.

We hope the grants will also go toward education and workforce development programs that attract county youths to the agricultural industry. And we hope county leaders are doing what they can to promote them.

— NCD