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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.
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Agronomic Products & Seed Council
In 1997, the Pennsylvania Agronomics Council Products Association merged with PennAg and became its first official council. This council unites a diverse group of individuals in our state’s agronomic industry, who, through collaborative problem-solving and cross-sector partnerships, gather to advocate and offer industry insight to state and federal regulatory affairs related to state seed certifications, fertilizers, agrochemicals, including Import/Export Permits, seed, soil/plant amendment, and lime programs.
State Industry Facts: 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.
State Industry Facts: 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
Historically, the state’s aquaculture industry was regulated primarily by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The enactment of the Aquaculture Development Act (Act 1998-94) marked a significant milestone, recognizing the industry as a farming activity and transferring regulation to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, reflecting ongoing progress and stability for stakeholders. In 2005, PennAg created the Aquaculture Council to include this growing farming sector in Pennsylvania, shape promotion, support industry stakeholders with regulation, and build cross-sector partnerships with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
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.
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
As the Pennsylvania agribusiness industry evolved, our membership between 1998 and 1999 designed a council with the original focus group of our organization, the feed, grain, and allied industries sector, hence our Feed, Grain and Allied Industries Council. This council connects industry leaders, peers, and partners to broaden and enhance its ability to impact federal and state legislative and regulatory matters, supporting stakeholders by advocating for policies and helping them feel confident in the industry’s progress and stability
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.
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
In every county, the equine industry contributes to the agriculture industry in Pennsylvania directly and indirectly, ranking Pennsylvania 8th in the nation for equine population. Our Horse Council was established in 2010 to support this vital industry, and the group often does industry tours of establishments within racing, research, and breeding sectors.
State Industry Facts: By calculating horse owner expenditure and racetrack revenue, the Pennsylvania equine industry contributes about $1.7 billion and supports over 43,000 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: Penn State Extension and USDA-NASS.
State Industry Facts: By calculating horse owner expenditure and racetrack revenue, the Pennsylvania equine industry contributes about $1.7 billion and supports over 43,000 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: Penn State Extension and USDA-NASS.
Manure Hauler & Applicator Council
All commercial manure haulers, brokers, and applicators in Pennsylvania must hold valid state certifications to transport, land-apply, or broker manure. The Council was established in 2004 to give this diverse group of leaders, peers, and partners a voice at the table in discussions and influence regulatory policies with agencies like the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, empowering their role in industry regulation.
State Industry Facts: 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.
State Industry Facts: 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
Our Poultry Council was the second council formed between 1998 and 1999, when the Pennsylvania Poultry Federation merged with PennAg Industries. This Council is Pennsylvania’s primary industry advocate with a united voice at the state and federal level for all members of the commercial poultry and egg community. The Council actively meets with regulatory representatives and hosts seasonal gatherings such as the winter Meat & Egg meeting and Council Scholarship clayshoot for networking and collaboration.
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 Pennsylvania’s No.1 industry.
Source: USDA-NASS, 2022 Ag Census
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 Pennsylvania’s No.1 industry.
Source: USDA-NASS, 2022 Ag Census
Swine Council
The Swine Council was the third council created between 1998 and 1999. Industry individuals, leaders, peers, and partners involved in our Swine Council engage in and receive support for practical, applicable, and scalable production solutions tailored to address the challenges facing today’s pork industry. The council also fosters conversations involving regulatory agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Protection.
State Industry Facts: 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.
State Industry Facts: 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.
Membership Committee
Individuals who serve on our Membership Committee meet annually to focus on efforts to recruit new corporate and individual members, retain current participants, and communicate the value of association programs. This group assists in association efforts on membership outreach, engagement, and collecting feedback to improve industry services.
Legislative Committee
Members of the PennAg Legislative Committee work with PennAg’s chief lobbyist to monitor federal and state bills and track potential impacts on supply chains, commodities, and operations. The committee also dedicates time to update association members on regulatory changes, compliance requirements, and political shifts. This group serves as a bridge between industry stakeholders (PennAg members) and government decision-makers.
Transportation Committee
Our members on the Transportation Committee meet annually to review and discuss legislative and regulatory efforts that affect rail, motor, and water transportation of all farm goods, including grain, feed, value-added products, poultry, fertilizer, and more. This committee focuses on each mode to increase product movement, eliminate service issues, enable cost‑effective transport, and improve infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
Workforce Committee
The PennAg Workforce Committee meets annually to tackle chronic labor shortages, H-2A visa regulations, and employee recruitment. As a group, they discuss and engage in bipartisan collaboration to provide members with updates on changing Department of Labor rules, wage rates, and I-9 protocols, and create education initiatives and regional programs to attract and retain local talent.
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