By Blake Jackson
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Secretary of Labor & Industry Nancy A. Walker joined Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations President Kimberly Paley at Adams County Nursery in Aspers to recognize three essential food industry workers as Pennsylvania Farmworkers of the Year.
This year’s honorees include Wilson Garcia Deras, an orchard laborer at Adams County Nursery; Jose Maderas, harvest supervisor at Leidy’s Premium Meats in Souderton, Montgomery County; and Jose “Ponce” Cruz, crew supervisor at Bonnie Brae Fruit Farms in Gardners, Adams County.
These awards celebrate frontline farm and food-processing employees whose dedication helps maintain a safe and dependable food supply for families across the Commonwealth. The three recognized workers represent the nearly 600,000 individuals who support Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture sector.
“Hard-working, skilled, team-players like Wilson, Ponce, and Jose inspire their coworkers to perform extremely well in demanding, difficult jobs to put food on all our tables and keep their employers in business,” Secretary Redding said.
“The Shapiro Administration applauds the tremendous contributions agriculture workers, whether they are citizens or guest workers, make to our communities, our economy and to every single one of our daily lives. Governor Josh Shapiro has made Pennsylvania agriculture a top priority since day one, recognizing the industry and the workers who keep it running as central to our state’s and our nation’s economic security.”
Nominees for the Farmworker of the Year Awards included frontline laborers, livestock workers, seasonal employees, and those in meatpacking or food processing. Selections were based on leadership, reliability, and positive contributions to workplace operations.
The Shapiro Administration emphasized that these awards align with statewide efforts to build a strong agricultural workforce. Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed the 2025-26 budget, continuing investments aimed at expanding the workforce, strengthening the economy, and supporting the nearly 600,000 workers who help keep the agriculture industry operating.
The new budget builds on previous commitments, including the $10 million Agriculture Innovation Fund and $13 million dedicated to PA Farm Bill programs. It further supports apprenticeships, vo-tech programs, and practical learning opportunities.
The administration is also maintaining $183 million for career and technical education and apprenticeships representing more than a 50% increase since the Governor took office.
The budget additionally reinforces support for Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry through HPAI response efforts, agricultural innovation, conservation projects, and construction of a new state veterinary lab.
It also includes an $11 million increase to bolster food security efforts, such as the State Food Purchase Program, PASS, SNAP supplements, and additional funding for food banks.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-artiemedvedev
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy