Katie McLaughlin - Driving PA Ag Policy and Business Support

By Blake Jackson

Katie McLaughlin brings a lifelong connection to agriculture and lessons from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences to her role at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO).

Established in 2023, OTO aims to make Pennsylvania more competitive for businesses. As agriculture coordinator, McLaughlin helps farms and businesses with permitting, connects them to state resources, and collaborates with the Department of Agriculture.

“We’re fortunate to have a governor who prioritizes agriculture; it is a key part of Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy. I work on agriculture projects, whether that’s working with businesses that need permitting assistance or helping them navigate state resources," McLaughlin said.

"I also provide agency support, working closely with our colleagues at the Department of Agriculture. OTO is really an added layer of capacity for cross-agency collaboration and business support.”

Growing up in Mifflintown, McLaughlin’s family farm inspired her interest in the industry, and her father’s Penn State master’s degree influenced her college choice.

McLaughlin showed livestock in 4-H and FFA, experiences that ultimately guided her to earn an agricultural sciences degree with a minor in international agriculture (INTAG).

“I only applied to Penn State,” McLaughlin said. “I didn’t always know what that end goal might be, but an important moment for me was serving as a Pennsylvania State FFA officer. During that year of service, we worked closely at times with the College of Agricultural Sciences, and it solidified that Penn State was the right move for me.”

McLaughlin INTAG minor shaped her approach to work by encouraging a holistic perspective on food security, policy, and community needs. “The minor has been really instrumental to embracing the openness of what others bring to the table,” she said.

McLaughlin continues to collaborate with the College of Agricultural Sciences on initiatives, noting, “Agriculture is one of my passions, because realistically, it should reach everyone, every day. It’s an industry that connects people, families, and brings others together.”

Photo Credit: penn-state