IMAGINE Berks Unveils “Growing Berks” Agriculture’s Economic Impact and Roadmap for Its Future

From The County of Berks

Berks County Director of Community and Economic Development, Pamela Menet, presented the county Department of Agriculture’s Ag Study on Tuesday, Jan. 28, during the Board of Commissioners’ Operations Meeting.

Titled Growing Berks, the study is the culmination of a year-long process involving a diverse group of farmers, agri-businesses, local government personnel, community members, and the Ag Advisory Committee. The Growing Berks study developed from input from this group and comprehensive community information gathered in partnership with ACDS LLC (Agriculture and Community Development Services). Growing Berks attempts to recognize the full economic impact of over 1,800 farms and agribusinesses throughout Berks County.

Growing Berks describes Berks County as “a place where agricultural production and agribusiness is thriving, the community engages with and supports local agricultural producers, and the industry is well understood and valued by municipal, county, and regional decision-makers.”

The six main areas of focus in Growing Berks are: Land Use and Land Security, Workforce and Career Pathways, Entrepreneurship and Agri-Business Development, Technology and the Farm, Market Development, and Agriculture Finance. The study shows that agriculture contributes over $1 billion of direct and indirect economic activity annually to the county.

The Growing Berks study provides data, information, and planning that will result in deeper collaboration and cooperation among the county’s Ag Department and other Ag agencies and partners in the coming years. Growing Berks includes a set of recommended action steps to guide and prioritize action and planning unique to the agriculture industry and to the overall IMAGINE Berks strategic economic development action plan.

“We recognize the importance and impact of agriculture in our community and have a strong commitment to its continued success,” said Commissioner Christian Leinbach, Chairman, Berks County Board of Commissioners.

Growing Berks is scheduled to be adopted by the Berks County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the regularly scheduled meeting.

For more information about the Growing Berks plan, see the Berks County Department of Agriculture’s website at www.berkspa.gov/departments/agriculture.

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Source: bctv