Adams County will host Pennsylvania officials this afternoon as the commonwealth recognizes three frontline agricultural employees whose work supports one of the state’s most vital industries. The 2025 Farmworker of the Year Awards will be presented at 1 p.m. at Adams County Nursery in Aspers.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker will join Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations President Kimberly Paley to celebrate the honorees, who were nominated by coworkers in Montgomery and Adams Counties. The awards highlight workers whose efforts help maintain a safe, steady food supply for families across the state while driving the economies of rural communities.
The recognition comes as Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector continues to expand. Nearly 600,000 employees support the industry’s $132.5 billion economic footprint, from orchard crews and dairy workers to food-processing specialists. State leaders have emphasized that the reliability and skill of this workforce remain central to the industry’s long-term growth.
The Farmworker of the Year program reflects that focus by spotlighting individuals whose daily labor sustains farms, orchards, and packing operations. Organizers note that these workers often operate behind the scenes, facing long hours and demanding conditions to ensure food moves efficiently from fields to markets.
Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has made agricultural investment a priority, reinforcing the sector as a pillar of statewide economic security. The administration has pointed to the contributions of frontline workers as a reason to expand support for workforce development, farm modernization, and the broader supply chain.
Today’s event at Adams County Nursery marks the latest effort to publicly acknowledge those contributions. The orchard setting underscores Adams County’s role as one of Pennsylvania’s leading fruit-growing regions, dependent on a seasonal and year-round workforce to maintain production.
Source: pa.gov