Community News

Bucks County’s farming and agribusiness industries are important parts of the local economy, contributing over $62 million per year and employing hundreds of its residents. Over the past few years, the county commissioners have increased efforts to support the county’s workforce and economic development programs to strengthen the overall economy in the county. As the county celebrates success in preserving over 15,000 acres of prime agricultural land, the commissioners would now like to match their strong record of preserving farmland with equally dynamic initiatives that support our farm families, agribusiness owners, and food manufacturers.

The commissioners announced at their August 12, 2015, public meeting held at the Grange Fair in Wrightstown Township, that they would host a Farm Summit in 2016. The purpose of the summit, to be led by representatives of the farming, agribusiness, and food manufacturing communities, is to identify strategic and valuable steps the county, local governments, civic leaders, and the agrarian community can take, in areas of workforce development, training, and financial needs, that will strengthen the farm, agribusiness, and food manufacturing industries.

Goal of the summit is to promote and support farming, agribusiness, and food manufacturers as well as provide assistance to existing and the next generation of farmers in the sustainability of farming and the startup, operation, and profitability of future farms in Bucks County. The purpose is to determine through group-led discussions, the type of assistance or coordination the county can provide to these industries on business and financial needs, land preservation programs, and workforce development and training. Farmers, Agribusiness Owners, and Food Manufacturers are invited to attend the March 30^th Farm Summit from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Perkasie Campus of Bucks County Community College (1 Hillendale Road). Pre-registration is required.