UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry faces ongoing economic and environmental shifts, the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) continues to offer targeted resources and support for farmers and agribusiness owners across the state.
One way the SBDC is delivering support is through the PA SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence, a statewide initiative that will be on full display at this year’s Ag Progress Days, to be held Aug. 12–14 in Pennsylvania Furnace.
On Aug. 13, The PA SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence will host an in-person seminar, “Fields of Opportunity: Starting Your Agritourism Journey,” in the Red Barn Annex Building’s lower-level meeting space. This one-hour introductory session will cover the basics of agritourism, including operational planning, legal and insurance considerations, and available funding and grant opportunities. Attendees can take a break from the summer heat while gaining valuable insights into navigating today’s agricultural business landscape.
Registration is available here.
Throughout Ag Progress Days, the PA SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence will also host an exhibit at booth A411, located in the Horizon Farm Credit Exhibit Building at the corner of Main Street and West 6th Street.
“Agriculture is at the heart of Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Tim Keohane, Director of the Penn State SBDC. “It’s essential that we provide tools and resources to help these businesses grow, innovate, and stay competitive. Our team is proud to be part of that effort.”
With agriculture contributing more than $132.5 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy and serving as a key industry statewide, the need for targeted business support remains critical.
From participating in events like Ag Progress Days and hosting strategic programming such as this past spring’s Agriculture Industry Roundtable – held as part of the SBDC’s annual Engage! programming – the SBDC aims to create meaningful opportunities for knowledge-sharing, networking, and long-term strategy development.
About Ag Progress Days
Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, held annually during three days in August, is Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition. With over 400 exhibitors from the United States and Canada, there is something for everyone to enjoy at no cost as parking and admission are free. The show is hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and showcases educational programs, current research, and the latest innovations in agricultural equipment and technology. Learn more about Ag Progress Days and plan a visit.
About the PA SBDC Ag Center of Excellence
Penn State, PennWest Clarion University, the University of Scranton, and Bucknell University have teamed up to create the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers Agriculture Center of Excellence. This joint initiative is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and designed to help Pennsylvania agriculture businesses sustain operations and stabilize food supply chains by assisting both traditional and innovative agriculture sectors and manufacturers. By leveraging host institution resources and partnerships, the initiative supports agriculture industries throughout the state through specialized educational programming and consulting services." Learn more about the PA SBDC Ag Center of Excellence.