Farming Issues Discussed at Toohil Event
SUGARLOAF TWP. - State Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today hosted a breakfast for area farmers and agriculture industry officials at Tom’s Kitchen in Sugarloaf Township. More than 50 people were in attendance.
State Agriculture Secretary George Greig, who was the keynote speaker, shared his outlook on the future of farming in the Commonwealth. Greig highlighted two recent legislative accomplishments that benefit Pennsylvania’s farm families and the agriculture industry. The first was the elimination of the so-called death tax, which had placed a heavy financial burden on surviving farm family members. The second new law requires the Department of Agriculture to promote the PA Preferred® trademark for use in the sale of agricultural commodities produced in the state.
Boots Hetherington, special adviser to the governor, spoke about the state budget and funding for agriculture. He said funding for fairs, including the Bloomsburg Fair, and 4-H Clubs has gone from $843,000 to $2 million.
Other speakers included Joel Rotz, state government relations director with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau; Matt Balliet, president of the Luzerne County Farm Bureau; and Lynn Sick, district conservationist for Luzerne and Carbon counties.
“Agriculture is our No. 1 industry in Pennsylvania,” said Toohil. “We were here today to promote our farms, our PA Preferred products and take care of our farmers who work in this tough industry. I have supported every piece of pro-agriculture legislation that has come before the legislature in Harrisburg. I am working to ensure that our farmers have a bright future.”
For more information on Toohil and her legislative priorities, visit
www.RepToohil.com or
www.Facebook.com/RepToohil.
State Representative Tarah Toohil
116th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact:
Rep. Toohil’s Office
717.260.6136