HARRISBURG, Pa., March 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In celebration of Pennsylvania's number one industry, Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed this week to be "Ag Week" in Pennsylvania.

"The commonwealth is proud of its rich agriculture tradition and appreciates the efforts of the more than 63,000 farm families that produce the food and fiber on which Pennsylvanians depend," said Governor Rendell. "Pennsylvania ranks in the top-five in the production of many foods, including mushrooms, milk, apples, cherries, Christmas trees, chickens, eggs and more.

"Buying locally produced foods, particularly those that participate in the PA Preferred branding program, provides a boost to state and local economies."

According to Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding, Ag Week coincides every year with the first day of spring, which is March 20 this year.

"We celebrate Ag Week as we usher in the arrival of spring and prepare for a new growing season with a great sense of optimism," said Redding. "One of our department's responsibilities is to help consumers understand from where their food comes and the value of farming in Pennsylvania. Ag Week is an opportunity for us to share that message with the public."

The Department of Agriculture is celebrating Ag Week with a number of events in south-central Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, March 16, Redding will visit Weaver Orchard in Morgantown, Berks County, and on Thursday, March 18, he will moderate the Farming in Perpetuity Forum at the Agricultural & Natural Resource Center in Gettysburg, Adams County.

For more information about agriculture in Pennsylvania, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us.  

Media contact: Justin Fleming, 717-787-5085

Editor's note: Below is the text of Governor Rendell's proclamation marking March 14-20 as "Ag Week" in Pennsylvania.

Ag Week -- March 14-20, 2010

Whereas, Agriculture is Pennsylvania's leading industry, generating $5.8 billion in cash receipts for the Commonwealth; and

Whereas, local farm businesses support on-farm and farm-related jobs, with one-in-seven jobs relating to the state's agriculture industry; and

Whereas, the state's 63,000 farm families are using new technologies and practices to become more efficient, making it possible for each farmer to feed 155 people each year, while meeting the demands of an increasingly quality and environmentally conscious world; and

Whereas, Pennsylvania's farm families and businesses work hard to lead the way in the production of agricultural commodities, including mushrooms, hardwood lumber, Christmas trees, pumpkins, eggs, apples, milk, grapes, peaches, pears and trout. Farmers throughout the state have established an outstanding reputation as a leading supplier of these high quality products throughout the world; and

Whereas, many of the state's farm families are preparing the way for their operations to remain viable in perpetuity by establishing new markets, preserving valuable farmland for future agricultural production, being good stewards of the land, and engaging the next generation of agriculturalists; and

Whereas, Pennsylvania is home to innovative programs, including the centers for Dairy and Beef Excellence and the Center for Farm Transitions, that provide producers with the tools to grow successful farming operations, and the PA Preferred program, which helps consumers locate products grown or processed in the state.

Therefore, In special recognition of Pennsylvania Agriculture, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim March 14-20, 2010 as AGRICULTURE WEEK and encourage all citizens to pay tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the men and women who provide us with an abundance of safe food, fiber, and energy, and to recognize the vital contribution they make to the high quality of life within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, and the world.  

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten and of the Commonwealth, two hundred and thirty-fourth.

Edward G. Rendell, Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.governor.state.pa.us
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us