History: Our Story

Our Organization’s Purpose

“To encourage and protect the trade and business of flour, feed and grain milling in the State of Pennsylvania by cultivating a more intimate and friendly relation among the millers of Pennsylvania, and promoting in every expedient and lawful manner the interests of their business.”

Charter Day

In the fall of 1877, several Pennsylvania millers (flour grist mills) faced discriminatory freight rates by the railroad and shipping companies of U.S. Midwest and Western flour.

Hence, these Pennsylvania Mills banded together, and by January 1878, the group had begun to call themselves the “Pennsylvania Millers State Association,” with a constitution and by-laws being adopted.

However, our original charter date is January 7, 1895.

The Pennsylvania Millers’ and Feed Dealers’ Association

As the farming and agricultural industry progressed and the growth of “patent” flour and cake flour in larger mills expanded in the Midwest and West, the need for a local flour grist began to cease.

The millers of Pennsylvania switched their gears in the late 1920s and 1930s to become feed mills for animal nutrition and buy commodities from farmers, including wheat, corn, soybeans, milo, and more.

By 1931, our organization modify its name to “The Pennsylvania Millers’& Feed Dealers’ Association” to incorporate this new trend for mills in Pennsylvania.

PennAg Industries Association

By 1969, our organization would broaden its appeal to other agribusinesses, including fertilizer, seed, and ag chemicals, and their cooperative organizations in the state.

In 1972, “The Pennsylvania Millers’& Feed Dealers’ Association” officially revised its name to PennAg Industries Association, as we are known by many today.

In 1996, our organization changed its by-laws to allow for the formation of councils to represent various sectors of Pennsylvania’s growing agricultural industry, including animal agriculture.

Travel through History with PennAg Industries

For nearly 150 years, PennAg has been advocating for current agriculture and future farmers by supporting the growth and promotion of various sectors of Pennsylvania’s agribusiness, including feed mills, manufacturers, fish farmers, and more. Join us as we delve into history to explore our strong roots in Pennsylvania’s agribusiness!

Dig into Pennsylvania’s Rich Agricultural History with PennAg!

Over the last several centuries, PennAg has supported its members in various legislative, public, and media settings. Discover nearly more than 100 years of Pennsylvania’s agricultural history with our organization by accessing our in-depth organizational historical infographic.

Discover the Seven Councils of PennAg

After our organization amended its bylaws to allow for the formation of councils, we saw an increase in members through mergers of several critical agricultural cooperatives from different agronomic and animal agriculture sectors.

Below are more details on the seven councils’ establishment, how PennAg supports them, and the role these industries play in Pennsylvania.

Agronomic Products & Seed Council

In 1997, the Pennsylvania Agronomics Council Products Association merged with PennAg and became its first official council.

State Industry Fact: Pennsylvania grows significant crops such as corn, soybeans, winter wheat, and oats. In terms of corn acreage planted, Pennsylvania ranks 13th nationally. With over 600,000 acres of soybeans, Pennsylvania ranks 19th in U.S. soybean production and 11th in yield. Source: USDA-NASS and Pennsylvania Soybean Board

Aquaculture Council

In 2005, PennAg created the Aquaculture council to include this growing farming sector in Pennsylvania.

State Industry Facts: Pennsylvania ranks 3rd in the nation for trout production with Pennsylvania accounted for 7% of the total value of fish sold in the United States. Source: USDA-NASS, 2022 Ag Census

Feed, Grain and Allied Industries Council

Between 1998 and 1999, three councils were formed including one for the original focus group of our organization, the feed, grain and allied industries sector.

State Industry Facts: Pennsylvania is home to over 5,600 manufacturing facilities also known as feed mills. In 2023, the Keystone State’s feed and grain industry $15.5 billion of total sales, including creating and supporting 44,273 jobs. The top consumers at Pennsylvania are Dairy Cattle, which consume 3 million tons of feed and poultry (layers and broilers), which consume 1.4 million tons of feed.
Source: American Feed Industry Association

Horse Council

This Council was established in 2010.

State Industry Facts: Pennsylvania ranks 8th in the nation for number of horses. The Pennsylvania horse industry directly contributes $1.7 billion and 43,114 jobs to the state’s economy. Pennsylvania also has over 62 equine-assisted therapy facilities and four collegiate-level institutions offering equine-related programs. Source: USDA-NASS,

Manure Hauler & Applicator Council

In 2004, this council was formed.

Did You Know? : Livestock animal manure is packed with several nutrients, including trace elements essential for crop growth. Most manure contains 70-80% nitrogen (N), 60-85% phosphorus (P), and 80-90% potassium (K).
Source: Penn State Extension

Poultry Council

This was the second council formed between the years 1998 and 1999.

State Industry Facts: Poultry production from eggs, layers, broilers, turkeys, and ducks has been historic in Pennsylvania’s ag sector and within our organization. In 2022, poultry production, with 7,100 farms generating over 2.6 billion dollars, surpassed dairy, making it the Keystone’s No.1 industry.
Source: USDA-NASS, 2022 Ag Census

Swine Council

The third council, Swine, was also created between the years 1998 and 1999.

Did You Know? : Pennsylvania’s swine industry is essential to the state’s agricultural economy. Hog inventories in Pennsylvania have varied over time but have increased from 1.03 million in 2000 to 1.44 million in 2024. The state ranks 13th in pounds of pork produced, supporting close to 14,000 jobs in the pork supply value chain and 3,000 pork producers.

Source: National Pork Producers Council, The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council, and USDA-NASS-Hogs and Pigs