Everett Joins Call for Restoration of Agriculture Funding
HARRISBURG – Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) joined House colleagues, members of the Penn State Ag Council and representatives of 4-H and agribusinesses in calling for a full restoration of funding to Commonwealth agriculture programs cut by Gov. Tom Wolf.
“We have the funding available in the Pennsylvania Treasury and there is no logical reason why these funds cannot be infused into programs that aid the entire Commonwealth,” said Everett, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Agriculture means a great deal to all of Pennsylvania, but it is part of the life blood of rural areas in particular. Lycoming and Union counties have a great stake in agribusiness and my constituents are being harmed buy this unconscionable cutting by the governor.”
Everett said agriculture is Pennsylvania’s largest industry and has an economic impact of more than $8 billion per year. Specifically, the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences trains many future farmers and farm business workers and owners who help feed not only the Commonwealth, but the entire nation.
The PSU agriculture branch is in danger of closing, which will devastate ag research, statewide extension programs and a popular program known as 4-H, which aids the agricultural education of thousands of Pennsylvania youth. The Master Gardener program is also under threat.
Everett cited an example of the value the Penn State Extension offers in areas where the Marcellus Shale gas play is taking place.
“As the Marcellus Gas drilling moved forward, it was the Penn State Extension that helped farmers understand the implication of that activity,” said Everett. “That help aided these farms and the natural gas development at the same time, thus yielding great benefits to many residents.”
Everett was joined by other House members including House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Penn State Ag Council president Matt Ehrhart; Dean of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Rick Roush; 4-H club member, Madison Shaw; agribusiness operator, Brad Hollabaugh, president of Hollabaugh Brothers Farm of Biglerville, and national agribusiness company CEVA-Biomune manager James Shirk.
To see comments made by Everett following the press conference, visit
RepEverett.com.
Representative Garth D. Everett
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Raymond Smith
717.705.1834
rsmith@pahousegop.com
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