Secretary Redding Highlights Ag Education in PA Schools

By Blake Jackson

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited two Cumberland County schools-Highland Elementary School and Cedar Cliff High School to mark National Agriculture Literacy Week and highlight the importance of agricultural education among young students.

Pennsylvania currently leads the nation in the percentage of farmers under 35, and initiatives like Agriculture Literacy Week aim to build awareness about how agriculture shapes everyday life. Events held statewide from March 16-20 encourage students to explore how food is produced and to consider future careers in agriculture.

“Investing in opening students’ eyes to new possibilities is a sound investment in all of our futures,” Secretary Redding said. “Giving the youngest Pennsylvanians a meaningful experience learning where their food comes from inspires them to consider career possibilities waiting for them when they graduate. It is the first, critical step toward building the skilled, innovative, and imaginative workforce who will feed us in the future.”

During his visit to Highland Elementary, Redding read Cows Can Moo Too! Can You? to a third-grade class and answered questions about his role supporting farmers across the state.

At Cedar Cliff High School, Secretary Redding toured the school’s Apiary Lab, funded in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The program offers students hands-on experience with beekeeping, aquaponics, and sustainable food systems.

“The Aquaponics of West Shore program sparks creativity and curiosity among students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and throughout our community,” said Justin Weaver, Aquaponics teacher at Cedar Cliff High School.

“Through hands-on learning and real-world experience, the program connects students with agriculture, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of Pennsylvania gardeners, beekeepers, farmers, and agricultural engineers.”

“The aquaponics program is a source of pride for both our students and our school community,” said Christina Burrows, Biology and Aquaponics teacher at Cedar Cliff High School.

“Students come to class curious and eager to take on the challenges of sustaining the living systems within the program including bees, chickens, plants, fungi, and fish. Through hands-on projects, they develop a strong sense of ownership and responsibility while building lifelong skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and environmental stewardship.”

Photo Credit: gettyimages-artiemedvedev